Theodore Ray "T. Ray" Jacobs

Theodore Ray Jacobs, known to all as T. Ray, died at his Missoula home on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. This was the family home that he went to after his birth at the Thornton Hospital on Sept. 15, 1940. His wife, daughters and grandsons were with him when he died.

Through his parents, Ted and Rusty Jacobs, and his Graves family from Bannack and Dillon, T. Ray was a fourth generation Montanan. He loved our state and his hometown. Always a true patriot and staunch conservative, he was proud of his service in the United States Air Force.

T. Ray first attended Missoula County High School and then as a sophomore transferred to the Lakeside School in Seattle. He remained a dedicated alumnus of Lakeside throughout his life. After graduation he returned to Missoula to attend what was then Montana State University. He became a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, something of which he was always proud. The University of Montana and all things Grizzly were important to him for the rest of his life and he delighted in wearing Griz gear during his extensive travel adventures and meeting people who recognized the logo. He was a member of Air Force ROTC at the university and upon graduation was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

After assignments in Arizona and Puerto Rico T. Ray returned to Missoula and went to work at the First National Bank which was owned by his family since the turn of the century. In later years he was an active Missoula realtor and right-of-way agent.

In 1973, T. Ray married Marjorie Loyall Porter and became an instant and forever father to two daughters, Brenda and Ann. One special interest of the couple was being host parents for international students at UM. The result was that young people around the world now have a "Montana Dad" who is important in their lives.

He was a member of Sentinel Kiwanis for more than 40 years; played in many Missoula soccer leagues; coached girls soccer; sang with gusto in local choral groups; served on the Historical Preservation Board and many other boards and committees.

T. Ray was a lover of people. He never met a stranger and would always ask you to take time for stories and conversation. His grandson reminded that "no dog was ever left unpetted." During the past months of a powerful battle against Myelodysplastic syndrome he counted the dedicated nurses at the St. Patrick Infusion Center among his real friends. He thought of Dr. Linda Ries as his personal friend as well as "one great doctor."

He is survived by Marjorie; his daughters Brenda Jacobs and Ann Jacobs Jones; two grandsons, Theodore Jacobs Edmison and Jesse Jacobs Jones; as well as his mother-in-law Margaret Heath Rice. His sister Carla and her family live in California.

Funeral services will be at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church on Friday, Aug. 25, at 10:30 a.m. Memorial donations could be to the Wounded Warrior Fund; The Uganda Destiny Orphanage project of Sentinel Kiwanis c/o Gary Hughes, 3821 Dore Lane; the University of Montana in support of women's athletics; or any project that is your favorite.