Col. Ronald "Jake" Dale Jakobson, Ret.

On the 3rd of February 2019, Col. Ronald Dale Jakobson, Ret., passed away and received his golden ticket to enter heaven.  The list of people that considered him a hero, which I am one, is too long to mention here.

He was born in Beach, North Dakota, where he grew up with his siblings and parents.  A great childhood with American values; strong work ethic and integrity.  He worked with his dad at their gas station where his love of cars began a life long journey.  His family soon after moved to Portland, Oregon.

After high school, he worked at the Railroad and was also in the National Guard.  He married and had 2 children, Mark and Lynn.  He also worked for the Oregonean and US Bank during this time frame.  Later he dropped the Railroad position and entered into Active Duty with the US Army.

He married again and had a daughter, Robin.  His children always brought pride in his life.  When he was near them, his heart was full.  Once again years, later, as he married again, his final daughter, Jessica entered his life.  Truly blessed with his children, they all did well in their lives and brought happiness to him for decades to come.

While working in Europe as Inspector General, he met the woman who he would spend the rest of his life with, my mom, Joanne (most know her as Teri).  They spent 33 years together.  Their life was full of joy and love.  And I, Chris, along with my 2 brothers, Jim and Ed, couldn’t be happier for the two people that meant so much to so many, to find their soulmate.

His education and service school completion is extensive.  A Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a Master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology; Service Schools include, Infantry Officer Candidate School, Infantry Officer Course at Fort Benning, Advanced Signal Officer Course at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, Command and General College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Program Management for Functional Managers Course, Defense Systems Management Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Defense Linguistic School, for 1 year to learn Arabic.  Other schools were attended and he excelled with distinction in each.  It should also be noted that he one of the few that came into Active Duty as a Private and rose to become a “Full Bird” Colonel. 

His command posts were of positions where he was always held in high regard with his subordinates and those organizational leaders that oversaw him.  To say that his service record was spotless in an understatement.

To all that knew him, he will always be loved, respected and missed.  As for me. I just wish I could hear all of his stories one more time.

He leaves behind his brother, Larry; his loving wife, Joanne; his son, Mark; daughters, Lynn, Robin and Jessica; and his step sons, Jim, Ed and Chris.  Those preceding him were his sister, Shirley (most knew her as Sherie); his mother, Leona and his father, Henry.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church of Niceville.  He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Col. Ronald "Jake" Dale Jakobson, Ret., please visit our floral store.