Robert Ray Jacobs

1935 - 2026

Robert Ray Jacobs
Manistee, Michigan
08/05/1935 - 01/12/2026
Robert Ray "Bob/Bobby" Jacobs passed peacefully on the afternoon of Monday, January 12, 2026, at Munson Medical Center, in Traverse City, with his son and daughter-in-law at his side.
Bob was born August 5, 1935, in Manistee, the youngest of seven children, to Harold Scott and Leona Marie (Guenthardt) Jacobs. Though such a large household wasn't always stress-free, it was most definitely still a household filled with laughter and love. Bobby kept up the jokes until the end.
Bob graduated from Manistee High School in 1954, and went into the United States Army in March of 1955, serving for two years as a PFC. After serving his country, he married Audrey Ann "Auddie" Bernatche, the love of his life, on June 25, 1960, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Manistee. They enjoyed nearly 64 full years of marriage before she preceded him in death in March of 2024.
Bob and Auddie's pride and joy, their son John, was born in July 1968. They talked up their son every chance they would get, made sure he had everything he could ever want while growing up, and they did the same with their grandchildren once each arrived.
Bob retired from Martin Marietta in 1997, after a 40-year career. He made many friends while working there, including a few who visited Bobby almost every Saturday during his two years at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility.
Bob enjoyed retirement by spending time with his grandkids and venturing out daily during his mobile years to visit around town with family, friends, and anyone who cared to have a conversation. He spent many years having coffee at Oleson's in Manistee before they closed, as well as chatting up "his girls" at Huntington Bank.
Bob will be remembered as larger than life, a loving and patient husband, father, and grandfather ("Papa"). He spent every day, for decades, taking good care of his wife Audrey, always available for her needs. Audrey was his high school sweetheart, "his Auddie", he saw her at the local Berglund Drug Store at age thirteen and knew she was the one!
Bob is survived by: his son, John (Tonya) Jacobs; grandchildren, Lauren and Ian Jacobs; sister-in-law, Betty Jacobs; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his wife, Bob was also preceded in death by: his grandparents; parents; siblings; and brothers-in-law; Bonnie (Gene) Snyder, Colleen (David) Adamski, Rae (Ollie) Hansen, Betty (Bob & James) Hellem Merriman, Sally (Jerry) Hendrix, and Harold "Sonny" Jacobs. He was also preceded by several nieces, nephews, and multiple cousins.
Bob was cared for and well-loved at Manistee County Medical Care Facility and the family would like to give a special thanks to the many staff members that became like family to Bob.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 309 Parkdale Avenue, Manistee, MI 49660, with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. until time of service, and a luncheon will follow at the funeral home.
Bobby would've loved for you all to stay and eat hardy while enjoying each other's company. Bob was a big lover of sports, especially the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and U of M (Go Blue!). To help celebrate him, we'd love it if those in attendance could wear his teams' gear or colors.
Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Manistee, is in charge of arrangements.
www.oakgrovefh.com