Ray O. Jacobs

Ray Jacobs, from Algonquin Illinois, in his 87th year, passed peacefully at his residence at Shalom Park in Aurora Colorado.  Beloved husband of (Waunita) Gayle Jacobs (nee Dawson) from Coatsworth, for 62 years. Ray was the loving father of Sheree Lynn (St. Charles IL), Lora Lee (Byers CO), Dean Leslie, (Byers CO) and Christopher Luke (Byers CO).  He was also loving “Bumpa” to grandchildren Matthew Ray (Marta) Jacobs, Katrina Courtney (“KC”) Jacobs and Grant Michael Sherman and “Bumpa II” to great-grandchildren Brian Dean Jacobs, Jasper Thor Jacobs and Damien Ray Tetreault.

He is survived by siblings Eileen Hooker-Dolata and Elmer Jacobs, both of Wheatley and Mary Fleury (Paul) of Tilbury. He is also survived by sister Lynn (Wayne) Rouse of Ft. Pierce, FL as well as brothers Dale (Joyce), Kevin (Cynthia) and Dennis (Pam), all from Vero Beach FL.  He is predeceased by parents John Leslie and Mabel Alice (Schuler) Jacobs, and brothers Frank, Garland, Lyle, Fred and Daryl Sr. 

Ray was born in Wheatley, Ontario and was known to his friends as “Jake”. He attended university in London, Ontario for several years studying Pre-Med before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Officer in 1955. He remained in the RCAF in what was the All-Weather Fighter Squadron #433, then known as the Tactical Fighter Squadron #433. The family was moved about the Canadian Air Force Bases in cities such as Cold Lake/Alberta, North Bay/Ontario, Moose Jaw/Saskatchewan, Winnipeg/Manitoba and Uplands (Ottawa)/Ontario.

During that time, he was breaking speed, altitude and marksmanship records as a “Top Gun” fighter pilot in aircraft such as the CF-100 Canuck, Beechcraft T-34 Trainer, P-51 Mustang and the Avro Lancaster. Besides setting and breaking records, he also held positions as a sharp-shooter and a flight instructor and was best friends to Ed Frymire, Terry Harris and Gene Chonko, his fellow squadron mates.  After 11 years in the Air Force, he retired and joined United Airlines in 1965 to fly DC-10s, 727s and other jets for more than 25 years.

When he wasn’t flying for United Airlines, Ray was an ardent and excellent player in both chess and billiards. He loved using his old yellow John Deere backhoe/front loader to dig septic tanks/leach fields on the side. But his passion was flying, and he encouraged his children to learn to fly his single-engine aircraft; the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the Cessna 150 and the J3 Piper Cub which he refabricated. He enjoyed golf, hunting, woodworking and acrylic painting as well.

At our father's request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Denver Hospice, online at https://thedenverhospice.org/ or by mail to The Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 700 Denver, Colorado 80246.  Phone: 303-321-2828.

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