Russell Jacobs

Russell F. Jacobs, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Russell is survived by Helen, his wife of 67 years, three children, Alan (Sally), Jeanie (Tom) and Mary Ann (Jim), two granddaughters, Erika and Sonja, one great-grandson, Nils, and two brothers, Lester of Peoria, IL and Lawrence of Merritt Island, FL. Russell was born September 2, 1923 in Bowen, IL, graduated from Bowen High School and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois. He served as Ensign in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He taught mathematics at Camelback H.S. and later was Mathematics Supervisor for the Phoenix Union High School District. Russell authored 13 high school mathematics textbooks, including five editions of Introductory Algebra 1 and 2. He formed Jacobs Publishing Company in 1976, writing 16 additional books for elementary and high school students. He retired at age 86 from Jacobs Publishing Co. Visitation will be from 5-7pm, Sunday, March 25 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road. Funeral Service will be held at 2pm, Monday, March 26, at Christ Church Lutheran, 3901 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Lutheran School or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.