Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson ‘In the Presence of His Lord’

Phil Robertson, founder of the Duck Commander company and star of the reality show Duck Dynasty, passed away May 25. He was 79.

After hearing the news of Robertson’s passing, Franklin Graham, a close friend of Robertson, posted on Facebook: “Please join me in praying for Miss Kay and all of the Robertson family as Phil Robertson has passed away. Now he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior. I always appreciated that Phil stood firm with the Word of God and took every opportunity to talk about his faith in Jesus Christ.”

Robertson was born in Vivian, Louisiana, the fifth of seven children. The family lived without electricity and other conveniences and subsisted mainly on food they grew in their garden or hunted. He attended Louisiana Tech University, where he was the starting quarterback for two seasons. He later earned a master’s degree in education and spent several years teaching before founding Duck Commander.

Robertson was open about the sinful lifestyle he lived before coming to faith in Jesus Christ, describing himself at a “drunkard and a heathen” during the early years of his marriage to his wife, Kay. A 2023 movie, The Blind, tells the story of those troubled years and the redemption he found in Christ.

After Christ radically transformed him, Robertson wanted all people to know the grace of God that comes through Christ’s death and resurrection.

“God sees [Christ’s shed] blood and says, ‘I don’t see any sin,’” Robertson told Decision during a visit to the Billy Graham Library in 2020, one of two occasions when he signed books and spoke at the Library. “So even all our past sins are removed: ‘Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him’ (Romans 4:8, NIV). And no future sin is counted against you. You are set free from Satan. The truth sets you free from sin. The truth sets you free from guilt. The truth sets you free from law, having to be perfect. Nobody has kept the law yet perfectly but Him, so He’s the model; He kept it for us. We’re in Him, and God views us as perfect because of our faith in Him.”

Robertson faced opposition for his unwavering dedication to Scripture. In 2013, at the height of Duck Dynasty’s popularity, A&E suspended Robertson for saying in a GQ interview that homosexual behavior is sinful. He was reinstated after a few days, in response to a strong public outcry.

Following his passing, family members and social media followers have posted many heartfelt comments about Robertson’s impact on their lives and faith.

“I can’t stop thinking about how he lived in the middle of nowhere, in a small, humble home with no cell phone or computer, and yet his life touched millions with the hope of Jesus,” said granddaughter Sadie Robertson. “He really believed it, and I know that he is alive in Christ fully today! What a life of authenticity. What a legend.”

Robertson’s third son, Willie, wrote: “He taught me many things in life and most without ever saying a word. I watched him, and knew he had figured out so many things. Most importantly, he taught me the value of sharing my faith with others. He was the Real Deal, the same on Sundays as Fridays. Most of our conversations were not about hunting or business, but about sharing the Gospel.”

Above: Phil Robertson speaks during a dinner and book signing at the Billy Graham Library in 2020.