Gene Lee Jacobs, 59

Gene Lee Jacobs, 59, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away April 23, 2024. Gene was a beloved husband, father, “Boppa” and pastor. He loved Jesus and longed for the day to be in His presence. We can only imagine the absolute joy and pure love he is now experiencing. He always said, “The first one to Jesus wins.” He won!

On Dec. 21, 1991, Gene married Christy Lee Rowland and became a father to her 5-year-old son, Brandon. A few years later, on July 4, 1994, Gene and Christy brought their daughter, Elizabeth, into the world. After his military career, Gene entered the cellular industry, building cell towers and installing 9-1-1 systems working for various telecommunications carriers. In 2004, he entered full-time ministry with Real Life Ministries Post Falls, later planting a Real Life church in the Silver Valley in 2007.

For the last 17 years, Gene was the lead pastor at Real Life Ministries Silver Valley, while coaching and training pastors in the United States and abroad. Gene committed his life to serving God and others, always willing to help in any way he could.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman and loved anything with two wheels. He and a friend took a 50-mile walk in one day to celebrate his 50th birthday. Gene and Christy rode their bikes from Seattle to Portland in 2012, and he loved dirt biking with the Real Life Riders. He was a goofball to his core, who loved to tell dad jokes and verbally joust with anyone. He was fond of anything you could throw in a deep fryer, over-the-top action movies and playing his guitar. He loved and was loved very deeply and carried many, many burdens for the church and community, and he wouldn’t come back here if he could. He touched the lives of countless people through his ministry work and is missed by many.

He is survived by his wife, Christy Jacobs; his son, Brandon Rowland; and his daughter, Elizabeth Hammer (Dallas). He was “Boppa” to one grandchild, Akasha Rowland. 

A celebration of Gene’s life will be Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Kellogg High School, 2 Jacobs Gulch Road, Kellogg, ID 83837. The family invites you to a reception immediately following the service at Real Life Ministries Silver Valley, 708 N. Division St., Pinehurst, ID 83850.

Memories of Gene and messages of condolence may be shared online with his family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting with the arrangements.