Real Life pastor remembered as 'a helper to his core' in Silver Valley celebration of life

KELLOGG — On April 23, the world lost Gene Jacobs. Hundreds poured into the gym at Kellogg High School on Saturday to celebrate him. 

Steve Louthan, of Kellogg, recalled the times spent together laughing in “Bill’s booth” at the Beanery.

“He was a friend of mine, a coffee buddy and a minister,” Louthan said. 

They had met three years ago through Real Life Ministries and struck up a friendship. 

“He was a wonderful, loyal friend,” Louthan said. 

Deb Louthan said they brought their whole family, about 30 members in total, to honor the life Jacobs shared with them.

“We thought Gene would have liked it,” Deb Louthan said.

“Scars in Heaven” by the Casting Crowns played at the opening of the ceremony, with the words “I know you're in a place where all your wounds have been erased” bringing some in attendance to tears. 

In a letter by Gene Jacob’s wife and read by Rev. Kevin Kessler, Christy Jacobs shared that all too often with his sermons, he was preaching to himself as much as he was preaching the gospel.

“Don’t stop loving one another,” she wrote. 

Kessler expressed gratitude for a full room to honor the life Jacobs shared with his community. 

“It’s been amazing these last few weeks to see people come together. Today is a goodbye to Gene. We’re going to cry. We’re going to laugh,” Kessler said.

He urged those in attendance to be gentle to one another no matter where they are in the grieving process and to show their love to one another. 

“He would have hated this so much,” Dallas Hammer, Jacobs' son-in-law, said to the audience, gaining a hearty chuckle. “He just would have wanted a small service.” 

Hammer said Jacobs taught him the value of listening.

“He was a helper to his core, and sometimes when people are so busy helping others they can’t ask for help themselves,” Hammer said. 

Whether it was getting into shenanigans around the family’s Thanksgiving meal, attending Car d’Alene, watching a musical, or enjoying cheesy action movies, Hammer said he misses the lost time with Jacobs.

“I would give anything to have one more day with Gene,” Hammer said. 

Rev. Jim Putman of Post Falls said he struggled with questions when he heard the news of Gene's passing.

Calling Jacobs “one of the humblest men I’ve ever known,” Putman said he recalled when he first met Gene and Christy Jacobs at church years ago. 

“He struggled with this idea of worthiness,” Putman said.

But as Jacobs connected with others and grew his faith it quickly became evident that Jacobs was meant to lead a ministry, Putman said.

Putman addressed God, saying, “Thank you for Gene. Give him a hug for us.”

    Steve Louthan wipes his eyes during the celebration of life for Gene Jacobs at Kellogg High School. Seated next to him holding one of the little ones, Deb Louthan, right said they thought Gene would have liked seeing all of their 30 family members in attendance.
 

    Et1 Joseline Gomez-Lopez and Hm2 Faton Sadiku unveil the American flag as part of the military honors for Gene Jacobs.
  

    Taps is played by Hm2 Faton Sadiku of the U.S. Navy at the celebration of life for Gene Jacobs Saturday morning.
  

    Dallas Hammer remembers his "Bonus Dad," Gene Jacobs during his funeral service Saturday and shared his own struggles with mental health and wishes they had caught the signs of emotional turmoil in Jacobs before his passing on April 23.
  

    Kevin Kessler of Real Life Ministries addresses those gathered for the celebration of life for Gene Jacobs at Kellogg High School Saturday.
  

    Jim Putman of Post Falls Real Life Ministries thanked God that the community was able to share time with Gene Jacobs before his passing.