Phil Robertson has died. The famed Duck Dynasty patriarch went to his eternal reward on May 25, 2025 at the age of 79.

According to the family, Phil’s health has been in decline over the past several months. He suffered from both Alzheimer’s and a cancer like blood disorder.

I was struck by how his son, Willie Robertson described his dad. He said that Phil “did everything God wanted him to do on this earth.”

It reminds me of the words Jesus said after he was accused of healing a lame man on the Sabbath. Jesus responded with “the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (John 5:19 NET). 

Jesus did only what God wanted Him to do. To have his family say the same thing about Phil is a powerful testimony.

Phil, an avid hunter, created a patented duck call that perfectly matched the sound of a duck. This resulted in the formation of the successful Duck Commander company in West Munro, Louisiana.

What put Phil and his family in the public eye was the popular TV reality show Duck Dynasty. It ran on A&E from 2012 to 2017.

Along with Phil as the family patriarch, the program featured Phil’s wife Kay, and their sons, Jase, Willie and Jep and as well Uncle Si, the younger brother of Phil.

It was centered around the family’s involvement in the Duck Call business and their rustic life stye that included hunting and fishing. Throughout the series Phil was outspoken about his faith in Christ.

With his trademark long beard, Phil had the appearance of a backwoods hillbilly. But in fact he had both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Louisiana Tech. He was also the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback for two seasons. He quit before the beginning of the third season because the college football schedule interfered with hunting. This allowed his backup, NFL great Terry Bradshaw, to take over the team.

Over the years, Phil water baptized thousands of people at their Louisiana home. He also served as an elder at White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Munro.

As his health declined, Phil often reminded his family of Paul’s words, “you do not grieve like those who have no hope’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Sources:

• ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson dies at 79 after battle with Alzheimer’s: ‘He did everything God wanted’: Christian Post
• ‘Duck Dynasty’ Founder Phil Robertson Passes Away at 79: ‘Legacy of Love for God’: CBN
• Phil Robertson: Wikipedia