Eric Lee Jacobson

Jacobson, Eric Lee
Eric Lee Jacobson, 48, was born on Nov. 7, 1966 in San Francisco, California to John R. and Judy H. Jacobson. He died on May 20, 2015 at his home in Mesa, Arizona after a lifelong battle with depression. As a child, Eric and his family moved to Readfield, Maine, then to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, before arriving in Butte in 1973. Here he attended McKinley Elementary School, West Junior High School and Butte High School. He enjoyed a successful high school career, ending it with a 1st Place State Medal in the track and field triple jump event. He obtained a track scholarship to the University of Montana. He graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in secondary education in mathematics. He taught high school math in Rupert, Idaho. In 1995 he accepted a job as the curriculum development director for Aspen Youth Alternatives, a wilderness outdoor facility teaching adjudicated youth self-sufficiency and survival skills based in Boulder, Montana. In 1998 Eric moved to Kosice, Slovakia to teach school with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Global Mission program teaching English to high school Slovakian students. In 2001 Eric returned to the United States, moving to Wentzville, Missouri and taught high school math and coached. He loved living close to his sister, Wendy Dobbs, her husband, Skip Dobbs, and his nephews, Mason and Jacob, and niece Kaleigh. They loved having Uncle Eric around. In Wentzville he enjoyed coaching Junior Varsity Basketball and Track and Field Jumping Events. Later he moved to Shreveport, Louisiana and worked in education. In late 2005 Eric moved to Great Falls, Montana, close to his sister, Jo Dee Black, her husband, Mark Black, and his beloved nieces Jennifer, Megan and Abbie. After living so far apart geographically for many years, it was a chance to participate in his family's daily lives, bringing a lot of laughter and that great grin. In April 2006 Eric moved to Phoenix, Arizona and started a new chapter of his life. He joined the University of Phoenix as an education counselor and then a team leader. He also taught math at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Arizona. Eric enjoyed golf, games of all types, fun runs, especially the Rugged Manic Race, which he ran with Jacob and Mason, and traveling to visit family and friends. He especially enjoyed attending the 2015 Super Bowl in Glendale with his father. Eric loved supporting and encouraging his friends, family, and students, and was truly the most content and happiest when he was doing just that. Eric Lee Jacobson is survived by: his parents John and Judy Jacobson of Butte, Montana; his sister Wendy (Skip) Dobbs of Bonner Springs, Kansas; his sister Jo Dee (Mark) Black of Great Falls; his nephews Jacob and Mason Dobbs of Bonner Springs, Kansas; nieces Amber and Kaleigh Bixler of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Jennifer (Mikey) Burrall of Bellingham, Washington; Megan Black and her fiancée Matt Harthun of West Valley, Utah and Abbie Black of Butte; his uncle and aunt Lee and Judy Jacobson of Cumberland, Wisconsin and Tucson, Arizona, his cousins Lori Davis, Jay Jacobsen, Jennifer Turcott, Sarah Justice, Molly Lampignano and Amy Lund and their children and spouses; and a circle of supportive, treasured friends, some who entered his life early and others who met him more recently, bringing much love and joy to his life. He adored every one of you. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Fellowship Hall, 12428 N. 28th Drive, in Phoenix. All are welcome to come and share memories of Eric over coffee and dessert. A funeral service will be held at Gold Hill Lutheran Church, 934 Placer Street in Butte at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.