Obituary - Perry Jay Jacobson

Perry Jay Jacobson was born Oct. 8, 1957, in Great Falls, Montana, to Evan and Shirley Jacobson. He left us May 17, 2018, after bravely facing an inoperable brain tumor.

His childhood was spent in Two Dot, Great Falls and eventually Helena. In the eighth grade, Perry met Karen Eggan when playing footsie kickstarted a lifelong relationship. Perry and Karen graduated from Helena High in 1976 and in July Perry hired out with BNSF Railway while Karen attended Montana State University. They reconnected in 1980 and married in Helena in 1982. He would say his greatest gifts were his sons, Kyle and Michael.

Perry loved golfing, riding his Harley, skiing, snowmobiling, boating, scuba diving, hunting, drinking Bud Light and attending Montana Grizzly football games, the one thing on which Perry and Karen could never agree. He was a talented handyman and could do just about anything. But most of all he loved people. He always wanted to be the first to a party and the last to leave. Karen learned early on to take her own car.

Perry had the rare gift of finding the good in everyone. He was a genuine guy with a great smile and a positive attitude. The saying, “Those with the most toys wins” applied to Perry as he had more than his share of toys, but a more accurate description of Perry would be, “Those with the most friends wins.”

When Perry heard the diagnosis, he chose not to seek treatment. Those that knew him understood he was at total peace with his decision. If Perry couldn’t play the game his way, he didn’t want to play. All who loved Perry would agree that he taught us a lot about how to live, and in the end, he also taught us how to die.

We can all imagine him roaring up to heaven on his Harley with golf clubs strapped to his back, wearing his signature smile, a San Francisco Giants hat and a Bud Light in his hand. Be assured he is watching over his family and friends to see what he’s missing. He is surely the life of the party showing new friends his “happy feet” and teaching them the “sheepherder’s dance.”

Perry is survived by Karen, his wife of 36 years; his sons, Kyle (Big Island, Hawaii) and Michael (Whitefish); his brothers, Pat (Cynthia) Jacobson of Cozad, Nebraska and Bill (Robin) Jacobson of Mammoth, Wyoming; sister, Lora (Jupe) Compton of Havre; mother-in-law, Mary Lou Eggan (Helena); sister-in-law, Yvonne (David) Casagrande of Billings; seven nieces and nephews; 11 great nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 27. In memory of Perry, please consider giving to Thompson River Animal Care Shelter, P.O. Box 1589, Thompson Falls, MT 59873 or to a charity of your choice.