Gustave “Jake” Jacobsen beloved husband, father, and brother, passed peacefully into eternal rest on January 18, 2018 at the age of 94. He was born in Tacoma, Washington to the late Willy and Sophie Jacobsen. After his father passed at an early age he assumed the role of the man of the house along with his brother Frederick (deceased), and helped raise the other children Irma (deceased), Alfred (deceased), and Katherine. His mother and Katherine were his true inspiration and molded him into the man he was.
He entered the armed forces in 1943 and was in the United States Air Force for 33 years. He is a highly decorated veteran whose medals include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Jubilee of Liberty Medal and the French Legion of Honor. During WWII he served as an aerial gunner on a B17 Flying Fortress and also an Air to Air Instructor. He logged 244 combat hours in 32 combat missions in both top turret and lower turret waist guns.
During the course of his military career, he was stationed at Lowry AFB, where he met his soulmate, Inez Odorico. They were married in March 1959, nearly 59 years ago. For the remainder of his career he served as an Administration Superintendent. He was stationed at numerous bases around the world and retired from Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Gustave was dedicated to his military career and to caring for his family. He was a private person who was very kind and generous. He enjoyed fishing, sitting in the sun and spending time with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Inez; his daughters, Debra Jacobsen and Diane (James Campbell) Russell; his sister, Katherine Knoll; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thanks to Suncrest Hospice and to the Winslow Court staff for the great care they gave him during his last days.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Private entombment will be at Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum, Garden of Angels.