Jase & Al Open Up About the Hardest & Best Week of Their Lives | 1101

Summary

Podcast Summary: Unashamed with the Robertson Family Episode: Jase & Al Open Up About the Hardest & Best Week of Their Lives | 1101
Release Date: May 30, 2025

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1. Navigating the Loss of a Patriarch

Timestamp: 01:01 - 02:36

In this deeply personal episode, Jase and Willie Robertson reflect on the profound week following the passing of their beloved father, Phil. Willie shares his emotional journey, expressing relief at completing the arrangements while grappling with a "larger than life" perspective of their father. He states, “I have this, like, larger than life now perspective of dad. It's just like, bigger than it was even because we were so in the weeds of everything” (02:36).

2. Planning the Funeral: Challenges and Decisions

Timestamp: 02:36 - 05:59

The siblings discuss the logistics and emotional challenges of planning Phil's funeral. Initially contemplating a private service, they were overwhelmed by the unexpected outpouring of support. Jase recounts, “We took a break… It was something the funeral… we just have to respect” (04:33). Ultimately, they decided to hold the ceremony at the church building that held significant meaning for Phil, guided by a sense of destiny rather than pre-planned arrangements. Willie adds, “Somebody made them for him,” referring to gospel symbols donated by Phil’s father-in-law, emphasizing the spiritual foundation of the service (05:59).

3. The Funeral Service: Honoring Phil's Legacy

Timestamp: 05:59 - 14:37

The family describes the heartfelt funeral service, highlighting the inclusion of music, tributes, and gospel preaching that honored Phil’s faith. Reed shares his admiration, “That was by far the best funeral I've ever attended or seen. You know, I mean, it just was amazing” (03:39). Jase reflects on the inclusion of all four brothers in speaking roles, despite initial reservations about the length and emotional strain. The siblings humorously note Willie’s extended remarks, with Jase commenting, “he went about 30 minutes” (10:19), illustrating the genuine and unfiltered expressions of love and faith during the service.

4. Family Dynamics and Personal Reflections

Timestamp: 14:37 - 35:07

The conversation delves into the individual journeys of each sibling and their relationship with Phil. Reed shares a transformative experience influenced by Phil’s unwavering faith, recounting a serendipitous encounter at a car dealership that led him to embrace Christianity fully. He states, “I tell you what, I'm fired up more than I've ever been to preach the gospel unashamedly” (30:54). Jase reflects on his growth and the impact of Phil's continuous sharing of Jesus, saying, “Everything was a platform to get people to consider God” (21:34).

Willie opens up about his own struggles and eventual embrace of faith, paralleling his journey with the prodigal son story in Luke 15. He shares, “Look at all that… we get to do this together” (43:50), highlighting the unity and support within the family during their time of grief.

5. Phil’s Ministry: Faith Beyond the Church

Timestamp: 35:07 - 43:22

The siblings honor Phil’s unique approach to ministry, emphasizing his belief in spreading the Gospel outside traditional church settings. Jase highlights Phil’s philosophy, “Phil embodied the kingdom of God outside of the building” (32:59), underscoring his commitment to integrating faith into everyday life and interactions.

Zach adds, “Phil was the ultimate human example of what it meant to live with the Holy Spirit inside of you” (43:27), reinforcing Phil’s role as a beacon of unwavering faith and love. The conversation illustrates how Phil’s legacy continues to inspire his family to live out their faith authentically and courageously.

6. Personal Stories and Memories

Timestamp: 43:22 - 58:26

The episode features heartfelt anecdotes from each sibling, showcasing Phil's humor, dedication, and impact on their lives. Jase recounts a memorable interaction where Phil humorously convinced a muscular man to embrace his faith, illustrating Phil’s ability to blend humor with profound spiritual conversations.

Willie shares a touching moment of grief, describing his emotional breakthrough while praying with Phil, who reassured him with a simple, “you did good” (55:49). This exchange epitomizes the deep bond and spiritual support within the family.

Reed reflects on the lasting influence of Phil’s teachings, noting how his grandfather’s unwavering faith shaped his own spiritual path and leadership within the family ministry (42:48).

7. Embracing Phil’s Legacy: Continuing the Mission

Timestamp: 58:26 - End

As the episode draws to a close, the siblings discuss their commitment to carrying forward Phil’s legacy. They emphasize the importance of growing where they are planted and continuing the mission to spread the Gospel without shame. Willie poignantly states, “Isn't that what prayer is?” (54:31), encapsulating the essence of their shared faith and purpose.

Jase concludes by reaffirming their dedication, “We're carrying the legacy now. Now we're going to be doing just what he trained us to do. It's not going to stop” (57:13), inviting listeners to support and join them in their ongoing journey of faith and family.

Notable Quotes

• Willie Robertson: “I have this, like, larger than life now perspective of dad. It's just like, bigger than it was even because we were so in the weeds of everything.” (02:36)

• Reed Robertson: “That was by far the best funeral I've ever attended or seen. You know, I mean, it just was amazing.” (03:39)

• Jase Robertson: “Phil embodied the kingdom of God outside of the building.” (32:59)

• Willie Robertson: “You’re the way you are now, James.” (43:56)

• Zach Robertson: “Phil was the ultimate human example of what it meant to live with the Holy Spirit inside of you.” (43:27)

Conclusion

This episode offers a heartfelt and honest exploration of grief, faith, and family unity in the face of loss. Jase and Al Robertson, alongside their siblings, share their journey of honoring Phil’s legacy while navigating their personal and collective spiritual paths. The conversation underscores the power of faith to provide solace, purpose, and direction during the most challenging times.

Listeners are invited to reflect on their own faith journeys and the enduring impact of loved ones who inspire them to live unashamedly for their beliefs.

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Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are indicative of the sections discussed.

Transcript

[Jase Robertson]

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[Willie Robertson]

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[Jase Robertson]

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[Willie Robertson]

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[Jase Robertson]

I am unashamed. What about you?

[Willie Robertson]

Welcome back to Unashamed. Jason and I are finally back in the house.

[Jase Robertson]

Yep, quite the week. We took a break.

[Zach Robertson]

Reed and I've been holding down the fort. We. We brought Reed in, so he's.

[Willie Robertson]

I had this. So let me just start off, Zach, you. Because I watched about 15 minutes this morning before I left of the last podcast, I guess, with Mac and Mary and oh, and Paul, and I was impressed. You're like, if something happens to me now, you got it. So you're, you're hosting skills. I mean, he's, he's. Well, I noticed he's Al.

[Zach Robertson]

Plus, I will say, Jason, it was good. You're never going to watch it, but it was good.

[Willie Robertson]

It's worth a watch, I'm going to tell you that.

[Zach Robertson]

But I knew the story. So, you know, when you know the whole story, you know all the nuances, I just, I just had to, like, pull it all together.

[Willie Robertson]

But, like, I'm so appreciative to everybody that's. That stepped in and this week and, you know, it's just been. It's been a whirlwind. I sent a text out today to my. To the siblings because everybody spoke yesterday at the funeral and just said, you know, like, I'm relieved because we did it and we got it done. But also it's like I have this, like, larger than life now perspective of dad. It's just like, bigger than it was even because we were so in the weeds of everything Jay says. So I'm kind of glad to be back here and talking to Unashamed Nation about it. You guys have been amazing. The tributes, the. I've only been able to glimpse a little because I've been so in the weeds. But I'm hoping next week to. To watch more of the stuff that's out there. It's been amazing.

[Jase Robertson]

It has been so in our time. I guess this is one day from the funeral, which we had, right. Which I think we're releasing that at some point, that y' all filmed it.

[Zach Robertson]

We were gonna live stream it with it. You know what? We're gonna. Just gonna have a moment with the family. Small, intimate gathering. But we think there that we do want.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, we want everyone's honor in Christ. It was so uplifting. And I asked Reed this morning when. Welcome, Reed, by the way. Sorry I hadn't already done that, but we. We. We wanted. I was like, reed, what do you think? And I don't know tell what you said, because it was.

[Reed Robertson]

I mean, I just talked about how impactful it was. I mean, it was. That was by far the best funeral I've ever attended or seen. You know, I mean, it just was. It was amazing, you know, and gospel was preached. You know, we worshiped. We honored and celebrated him. I mean, and his whole life was honoring and celebrating what Christ did for him, you know, and it just. I think that was done really well. And I was blown away. Yeah, I was.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah, it was. It was. It was something the. I had to kind of detach myself because Phil had this famous line that he said many times, when I die, you can sing, you can dance, you can do a little jig. But I made. I made it, so. And he was real emphatic about that. So we kind of came up with a plan, which was interesting when we met, the plan that we came up with, we didn't really do right. We were going to do two services, like one for the family, and then we were going to do a public thing just because the outpouring was so massive, which was kind of shocking, I think, to everybody. Everyone. I mean, look, I knew, you know, Phil's famous, but, I mean, I had hundreds of texts. So you start getting in the hundreds.

[Willie Robertson]

I mean, hundreds. Like it was ringing on your phone like you were at a pinball, you know, like. It was.

[Jase Robertson]

Caused me a little concern because a lot of them, they weren't in my phone. I'm like, how'd you get my number? Who are you? I had a lot of those, but we. So we had.

[Willie Robertson]

I would just say, thanks, bud. There were several. I didn't know either. And I was just like. Like I knew them, but I had several.

[Jase Robertson]

So then it got into, well, how if all these people show up, you know, where are they going to be?

[Willie Robertson]

Jason was really nervous about that in the early planning stage.

[Jase Robertson]

So basically what we did wrong or right is we just at the church building where my parents called home, I guess, you know, the very. Al, you made a good point in the funeral. The very building that my dad gave his life to. Christ.

[Willie Robertson]

In the very room.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah. In the very room is where we did the ceremony.

[Willie Robertson]

And we didn't. Like, that wasn't the original. We didn't know what we were going to do. So it's like we were just guided to this spot. And it hit me the day before when I looked at, you know, we walked in there and was looking. We were prepping and, you know, people were rehearsing, they're singing and stuff. And I just. It just like, was so overwhelming in the moment. I thought those. They put the gospel symbols up there, which, by the way, that came from your father in law. Did you know that Larry donated that to the church? Those symbols. Somebody made them for him.

[Reed Robertson]

Oh, Larry.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, Larry.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, in any venture, there's a lot of people who start living like the Lord.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

And they sacrifice and serve, which we had hundreds of people volunteer. And of course, all your family shows up. And, you know, when we had our little meeting, I guess it was. I'm not sure when we had that family meeting was.

[Willie Robertson]

It was the day after he.

[Zach Robertson]

I think that was on Monday, because.

[Willie Robertson]

I. I was on the holiday. Yeah. Because. Yeah, our funeral guys were with us too. So.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, I remember we were all sitting around and. And I think Willie said, well, what do y' all want to do? Or the funeral? Because we kind of had the funeral people there. They kind of went through their bit and everything that is normal about a funeral prep, we were the opposite. And he's like, I don't think I've ever seen this. So just because you didn't know who was going to show up and how it was going to be. And we kind of panicked at first because even when. When Phil literally stopped breathing, it's like the media made kind of an ugly appearance. They started calling people in the family and calling the place where he was at, and all of a sudden there were people at our gates, which leave it to the media to just make you kind of panic and say, everybody, give us a little privacy here. So when we had the meeting with the family, I think Willie said, well, what do y' all want to do. And. And he looked at mom and said, you know, what would you like to do? And the first thing she said was, well, I want all four boys to speak. And so then I was like, oh, no, because in the moment, we hadn't.

[Willie Robertson]

Talked about it at all. No, I mean, what that. What it would be like.

[Reed Robertson]

And I think actually she said, I want all four boys to speak. And you said what? You said something like, you know, well, who are the boys? And she said, where's the common sense around?

[Jase Robertson]

Well, yeah, she said it in a way, like on all the boys to speak. But we were in the room and I was like, what boys? I mean, I want you boys. I was getting clarification.

[Zach Robertson]

She did say that channeled her inner feel there. She's doing common sense, for crying out loud.

[Jase Robertson]

And I think I said something like. Which made her mad. I was like, well, you realize this will perhaps be the longest funeral in history, because, you know, we all talk a lot.

[Zach Robertson]

I was worried about that. I thought, how are they going to pull this off, particularly with you two, because you're.

[Willie Robertson]

Y' all.

[Zach Robertson]

You guys are now used to long form content. So we're speaking for 55 minutes. I'm like, you got like, I don't know what y' all budgeted, but what you budget for?

[Willie Robertson]

I said. I told him 12 to 15 minutes, as it was my general thing. But I told. So. So we wound up doing it, and you guys all see it, but we wound up having Jeff and Phyllis go together. And the reason why is because Jeff is mortified. Like, Jeff just. He turned just white as soon as mom said it. Oh, you know, he. Because he is mortified about being in front of people and speaking. He's done it because he's not. And he's pretty. He's okay.

[Zach Robertson]

He was good and he did great. He was great.

[Willie Robertson]

So Jeff just turns, like, white as a ghost, you know, he's like, oh, you know. So in the moment when we were talking and I. And I figured Phyllis would want to say something too, because, you know, mom didn't bring it up, but I thought she'll want to say something. So afterwards, I pulled Jeff aside, I said, what about if Phyllis wants to say anything? Y' all getting up together.

[Jase Robertson]

Oh, sometimes you need a buddy.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah. Now it was. He was like, oh, wow, that would be so good. And I said, well, let me see. And she did. She wanted. And so they did it together, and it kind of flows through. So at first, I was going to kind of like, intro everybody and Then I just. I was trying to conserve time, and so I was gonna tell the joke that I do when I'm out on the road. But when I talk about Jep being my little sister, you know, I would always say he was the little sister we never had. But then we, you know, Phyllis found us, and so I had a little sister, so it ruined the joke. So now I say, but he needed a sister to play with, you know, two girls. And so the fact they were up to gh, that was gonna be my joke that I never got to tell. So unashamed, you get mine.

[Zach Robertson]

You get to see it, though.

[Jase Robertson]

Yes. So he did that. Then Willie, who turned out to be the most long winded, so maybe I'll need to edit some of that. I think he went about 30 minutes.

[Zach Robertson]

It was good.

[Jase Robertson]

And I might have went 20. Yeah. It was basically I called Willie the comedy owl.

[Willie Robertson]

He was funny.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah, it was funny.

[Willie Robertson]

And he kept engaging mom. And then Sigh. Kept talking back to Willie throughout his entire.

[Zach Robertson]

That's what we should have mic'd him up. But it's funny.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, I said that. I said I was.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, the backstory to that was I said, well, somebody needs to maybe ask Si. I said that in the meeting because I wasn't there if he wants to say a few words. And somebody reached out and said, nope, he doesn't. Yeah, but then he did the whole time, which made sense. Look, because he's the sidekick. He was the sidekick to feeling through their first, you know, years of dating and probably 10 years of their marriage. And so that he turned. He turned into the echo, which was funny.

[Willie Robertson]

And he was on here. Right. Didn't you?

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah. We had Sigh on with Martin, Um, and he kind of told some of those stories. But I. It was interesting getting all together too. Cause that's the first time we've all been together. Kind of like, not just. It was like the core family. I said the core family, which was about 300 people or 400 in that room.

[Willie Robertson]

We filled up a whole, like.

[Zach Robertson]

And I'm like, I guess we are all related. I'm looking around and it was loud. I forgot. I mean, when you get a bunch, like the whole family in a room, I mean, there was some personality and energy in there. It was.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

You know, it was.

[Willie Robertson]

It was great. It was like a reunion. That's what several people said.

[Zach Robertson]

Spring is here. It's actually almost over. Jill and I noticed that you gave my sister $200. What was that for?

[Jase Robertson]

To help make our backyard look better. Well, because somebody has let it go.

[Zach Robertson]

Somebody has. And I'm not going to point fingers right now, but I am pointing.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, we have three boys.

[Zach Robertson]

We do have three boys. And I'm pointing my sister to fast growing trees.com to buy the shrubs that we need to do the pool area. Fast growing trees is the biggest online nursery in the with thousands of different plants and over 2 million happy customers. I'm one of them and he's gonna.

[Jase Robertson]

Get on it right now.

[Zach Robertson]

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[Willie Robertson]

One of the things I wasn't really planning on because we're also involved in our little area of planning. I didn't realize how many people who have been a part of like the duck commander journey would be there. Jace, did you notice that? Like, yeah, Debbie Phillips and sinky and.

[Jase Robertson]

All the, you know, all the old.

[Reed Robertson]

Camera folks and even Jimmy Redd was there.

[Willie Robertson]

Jimmy Red. He made an appearance. He came in, he had a nice shirt on. I was like, jimmy Red, look at you. You know, and it just was really was very touching to me. And so I. You're right, Zach, for that first, because we all got there early, so we probably just had an hour just to visit and talk to people and catch up. All my cousins were there. And then, Reid, you mentioned something that was very powerful. Just about the three days we had to, because it was a holiday weekend when all this happened in the holiday. But everybody was able to come and just tell your perspective of, like, all our cousins, you know, your cousins, mom's grandchildren, just that ebb and flow of how that went.

[Reed Robertson]

I mean, it's just been. It's been incredible. My wife said, I don't think I've been around your entire family ever, you know, And I was like, I can't remember the last time we were all together. And then we've never been together where it's just. It's everyone I ever knew, you know, which is amazing because, I mean, I grew up at White's Ferry Road, and there was just so many people that were just rock solid. They were just always there, you know, and it just becomes your.

[Jase Robertson]

Your.

[Reed Robertson]

Your true church family, you know, And I. I've been gone for 10 years.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Reed Robertson]

And now it's like you come back and it's everyone I could ever think of and not think of all in the same place.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Reed Robertson]

Telling stories and celebrating and. And, I mean, it really is amazing just to see the. Like we've all said, you know, the outpouring and the love and just how. How respected he was. I mean, there's. And all the texts we've gotten and everything. I mean, there's so many people that they never met him, they never knew him, but they all have their own individual story of this is how he impacted me. And I remember watching this, and I remember turning my life in this direction because of him. And it's like, man, I mean, even people that. I mean, they never had a real conversation with him. I mean, some of his family never really did, too, which is funny. But he was a man of. I mean, he was just a titan, you know? And, I mean, heaven got a titan, you know? I mean, heard that a lot just from people that have texted me. But it's funny, I mean, I was mentioning earlier that thinking about the kingdom and eternal life starting now, and we're a part of Jesus Christ's kingdom that he's building now into forever. I mean, you're really. You say things like, I'm so sorry for your loss and condolences, and I know it's hard. And you say, thank you. Yes, it is. And I've said that plenty of times, you know, and you say things like, no, you know, we're celebrating. We know where he is. You know, but in the back of your mind, you're thinking it's still. It's still hard, you know, and it is. But, I mean, you truly feel something else when you believe what we do, because it is. It is an amazing thing. And he. And we are happy. I mean, he wants to be there. You know, that's where he was ready for glory for 60 years, you know, I mean, there was no stopping him.

[Willie Robertson]

And it's been incredible. And that's the way it should be. Like your patriarch or your matriarch. I mean, they should lead that way, you know, And I just. I said that to our family that, you know, look, so many people have had lost people, lost kids and lost, you know, people early and just those difficulties you go through. But this was the way you want it to be, you know, you hope it to be, is that, you know, your matriarch and your patriarchs go first. You know, I mean, like, they live that life and they have that example. And I watched all the Reeds generation of our, you know, our kids now, Jason, Seeing our grandkids and seeing them step into those roles, they led worship, you know, some of our kids, Zach's kids and me and. And Bobby, Will.

[Jase Robertson]

That was a proud moment. I didn't break down four members of our family. I guess they're all in their 20, early 20s.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

Pretty impressive.

[Willie Robertson]

They were amazing. And the fact that they just stepped into the moment, you know, I mean, and they were asking me, were you nervous? And she was like, oh, I was so nervous. I said, I could not tell. I mean, like, you just look like you just nailed. And I got so lost in the worship, which I rarely do when I'm speaking, because I'm usually thinking about what I got to do, and. And I was up next after that. I got lost in it. It was just a praise, you know. It was amazing. It was amazing.

[Reed Robertson]

I tell you what, I'm fired up more than I've ever been to preach the gospel unashamedly, unfiltered, and without care of what somebody else thinks. Because that's the biggest thing he inspired me personally to do. You know, I had a situation where, you know, we. Brighton and I were praying, send us people to preach the gospel to. You know, we got a great church up in Nashville and awesome friends, but you're kind of in a little bit of a bubble, you know, when you get to that point, which is great. But we were praying, hey, send people to. Send us to preach the gospel to. And I was at the car dealership, of all places, and this guy, you know, he was obviously Not a believer, you know, and out of nowhere, just said, are you a Christian? And I thought, oh, here we go. I mean, what's the odds of that? You know, I mean, I'd pray in the day before, you know, maybe even that morning. And he said, are you a Christian? And I, I. So I've walked through the whole thing and, and preached him the gospel. And, you know, he said he was going to come to church and stuff. And, And. But there was something in the back of my mind where I was like, I. I left a little bit hanging out there because I. For some reason, I wanted this guy to like me, you know, I was like, hey, we would still be friends, you know, or whatever. And. Which I was trying to buy a truck, you know, so. But. But, you know, it just. He inspired me so much, you know, my whole life, but just through this process of. He didn't give a rip what you thought about him. He's like, hey, this is the good news, and you need to hear this, because I love you as a brother in Christ, and I want you to. I want you to get what I got, you know, and just. It fired me up.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, yeah, Yeah, I did.

[Jase Robertson]

That was kind of what I based my speech on, because, you know, you asked me to talk about his hunting. Al kind of gave us categories that I don't think any of us followed real closely.

[Willie Robertson]

It's a lot like this podcast, copious notes and plans I didn't follow, but.

[Zach Robertson]

I did think it was interesting because I knew that I knew the cat, the categories. And you know what's funny? Every category ended up with Jesus.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah, well, exactly.

[Willie Robertson]

Which I knew would happen.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, I think it's people, Master. You know, as normal human beings, we tend to compartmentalize our life.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

Like, you have church, and then you have your business, and you have. But I was like, even the. You know, what's behind all the thoughts? When he was running the business and even in the duck hunts. Well, it was all just a platform to get people to consider God, you know, in Jesus Christ. And that's why I said, really, when you think about. I asked a question, because people ask me probably that question in the hunting world more than anything, what's it like to hunt with philosopher? And my answer was intense, because most.

[Willie Robertson]

People that come hunting for the faint, faint of heart.

[Jase Robertson]

Most people that come hunting with us, they don't have a pleasurable experience, what men feel, because they're like, well, they're way too serious. But the intensity is judgmental. Maybe it was not Just to do this as well as you can do it.

[Willie Robertson]

Shut up.

[Zach Robertson]

Harsh.

[Jase Robertson]

At the heart of it was those conversations. And I made the point. You know, I've hunted with Phil for 50 years, and do you realize how many conversations that I was privy to in 50 years over three months out of the year? And then you throw in the other nine months, we're sitting beside each other in a doc call room. Well, they all centered around, you know, and I broke it down to the two camps that. That mankind is in. You're either running with the devil or you're running with the lord. And there's no middle ground or. So he would always start off those conversations, which Reid kind of touched on it. He would ask. We'd be sitting in the blind, and we'd have somebody there who he didn't know. And at some point he'd say, what's your story? Well, I know what's fixed to happen. This guy doesn't realize that it's an altar call and you're fixed to confess your sins. Because the way Phil's mind worked is he would read a verse that says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Well, he knows us to be true. So when he says, what's your story? If you try to deny whatever you've been doing? And he would call it cutting up. And he had a little phrase that, you know, it's kind of PG13, you.

[Willie Robertson]

Know, getting in her britches that way.

[Jase Robertson]

Out there, getting drunk, smoking dope.

[Willie Robertson]

He'd say, I know you've been out there getting in that old gal's bridges. And who would else would say that? And like, the person be like, yeah, his gospel presentation.

[Zach Robertson]

There were some R ratings in some.

[Willie Robertson]

Of those as the bible is.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, especially in a duck blind. Yeah, you're out there with men and, you know, we would say, locker room duck.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

What's funny is when I've hunted on public ground, I've heard, you know, you would be close enough to hear. Hear the conversations and, you know, Phil be with us. And it was interesting. You know, they're telling dirty jokes and just. It's four letter words after every little sentence, you know, and they're laughing and cutting up. And here you have a different count, and it's all you're talking about that ain't nobody laughing. You're like, yeah, yeah, yeah, guilty. But my dad would all. You. You think, well, well, why would that not be offensive? Because then Phil would tell about his life and he would say, hey, I. I'VE been commode hugging drunk. I was chasing, you know, women of the evening. Yeah. And he would have completely sound effects. That's. He did it. And then that was one of Willie's.

[Willie Robertson]

Jokes yesterday, which was. He landed many funny ones. He said, I know we got a lot of doctors in the room, but my dad could rattle off more venereal diseases than all of y' all combined.

[Jase Robertson]

Exactly.

[Zach Robertson]

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[Jase Robertson]

And then look, then he would get to their physical death. He would go through that which they don't realize. I know where this is headed.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

And he would start, he'd get their thoughts on how do you feel about dying? That's why he came up with all these clever lines. I mean, One that he said for years that I've used that people always laugh at, you know, because it might be a guy, you know, sitting in the blind. It works out and eats right. You know, he just thinks he's on top of the world, you know, muscle mania. And he's always like, muscle mania. Well, hey, you'll die healthy, but you're going down and you know, six feet under. You remember the famous story about him working out of the church building. And the guy who worked out, everybody knew who because he looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before Arnold Schwarzenegger was a thing, I guess it's just the bodybuilder. And I mean, he simply walked by in the parking lot and my dad was like, woohoo. He had his little sound effect. He's like, oh, you got some muscles like the physique. Yeah, well, you're quite a special. He stopped, you know, was like all.

[Willie Robertson]

Of a sudden like a peacock.

[Zach Robertson]

You get the feathers out.

[Jase Robertson]

Thank you for acknowledging my presence. And my dad said, how you going to get it out of the ground? And he went, excuse me, how are you getting that body out of the ground? Cuz it's going in there at some point. And he was just looking at him dumbfounded. He said, come down to the house.

[Willie Robertson]

Tomorrow, come on down the house and.

[Jase Robertson]

I'll tell you, you know.

[Willie Robertson]

And the next day he showed up.

[Jase Robertson]

But I tell what I said, well, he doesn't even know where, where you live. He said, if he's serious about it, he'll figure it out.

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

And sure enough, he showed up. And what I thought was fascinating about that story is an hour into the, the discussion, here's this guy who at one time was, you know, flexing his muscles. He, tears are flowing down his face. You know, it all started in a conversation walking by saying, how you gonna get the body out of the ground? And so even, you know, I thought about bringing this up in my speech about when we had, you know, the controversy over the show and all. But I remember my dad's first take on that when they were like, oh, there's, there's a controversy. He's like, about what? You know, he's like, well, he did an interview. He's like, oh, I don't boy. He was asking me the question. He asked me what sin was. I was quoting Bible verses. And he was like, where would you.

[Willie Robertson]

Go if someone asked you about sin?

[Jase Robertson]

I was like, Phil, I get it. They, they took the stuff out of the context. But you know what he was so upset about? About the who. He's like, well, they left out the good news. Because I was at that interview, you know, he went through the gospel, and in his mind, he was like, well, you just focused on the bad news. I got to the good news, and nobody ever, ever addressed that. And so that. That's what all those. You know, that's what stands out in my mind. When I looked at his life as a whole in the duck blind, it actually was just the perfect backdrop to have a conversation about what's meaningful in life. And I made a point when I spoke that I think since Phil encountered God not in a church religious setting, and I'm using that in quotation air quotes, it was more just kind of like Paul. When Paul was Saul, he's just living, running with the devil, and all of a sudden he hears the thrilling news of Jesus. He happens to be in a bar.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

And the one thing that was really hurting in his life was because even though he was just running wide open, he had lost his family. I mean, they were separated. And that's why you're having this intervention, which is really what the Bible is about, God getting his family back. So. And he was so thrilled by, I think, that thrill. And God used that in that moment. It never went away, which is why he continually talked about it. And I was going to do illustration because one of his favorite songs was the BB King, the Thrill is Gone, but he lived the exact opposite of that. The thrill never left in Jesus. And so I think it was an interesting way to depict what he was thinking. And then when I went to the duck calls, I kind of did the same thing. All his ideas weren't to sell duck calls. I mean, obviously he was like, yeah, this is fun. We're making money doing what we love. But it was always some connection to something about God that he thought was cool. And I did a couple illustrations. One of them was with the pentail whistle, because I was there the first day when he realized he had a whistle that sounded like a pintail. He wasn't saying, oh, we're fixing to sell thousands of these. He was like, I discovered the use of a body part that nobody has discovered. God gave us a uvula. And then I went through his little speech about that, which he's given many.

[Zach Robertson]

Times, which is the little Phil would say, the piece of meat hanging down the back of your throat, if you're listening.

[Jase Robertson]

That's why I always did that.

[Willie Robertson]

Look in the mirror. Open your mouth. You know, see that? See that little piece hanging there? You Always wonder what that was for. This just sound like a pentax clutter your uvula.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, my point was, and I think people, they were having a hard time wrapping their head around because that was his mindset. He was like, that's why God gave you a uvula. And I figured it out. It's a pintail. He was so excited about that. It was because of the connection with God. It makes great conversation at the end of the day. And so that's kind of how he lived his life. Everything was a platform, the funeral.

[Zach Robertson]

I think you guys did such a great job with honoring Bill's legacy as not. You kind of mentioned it, Phil, when you read through the comments. And I keep up with it more than y' all do. But like, and just the online more than we do.

[Jase Robertson]

I'm not. If you've read one, you keep up with it a lot. I'm not one.

[Zach Robertson]

Somebody got to keep the ship, you know, I mean, going.

[Reed Robertson]

So.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah, okay.

[Zach Robertson]

But. But I'm just looking at them.

[Willie Robertson]

Thank you for doing that.

[Zach Robertson]

Thank you. I appreciate it. I'm looking at the response and I'm thinking, I mean, I don't even know how many millions, hundreds of millions, I mean, maybe billions of views have seen the gospel through the content that Phil was on just in the last few days. I mean, it's just been incredible, the response. And then it hit me that this man, Phil, my uncle, your dad, your granddad, was not a paid pastor. He did not pastor a church. And when Jill and I were in college ministry, they'd always come in and say, man, I feel called to be a pastor. I feel called to go into ministry. And I'm thinking. And everybody said that. And I was like, if every one of you becomes a pastor or goes into the ministry, what happens to the marketplace? And what Phil embodied was the kingdom of God outside of the building. And every time have you ever heard Phil say, I'm going to church? I never heard him say that.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, he would chastise us? Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

If you said that, he would chastise you. Well, that's why I told you my whole conversion. I mean, I wrapped it up in there because it was true. When he preached for the first time, which was seven years after he came to the Lord in a. In a church building, it was that. I didn't know if you remember that.

[Willie Robertson]

But I'm not sure I was even there.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, the only reason I remember it is cuz a week later I came to the Lord right after that, I.

[Willie Robertson]

Think I was gone. I think that was.

[Jase Robertson]

He was nervous about it. And, you know, because I was. You got to remember at that stage of my life, I was 14 years old. I was still. Even though my dad had been a Christian for seven years. And I think you maybe. I can't remember which brother talked about that. No, I think you did. It was bumpy.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah. And Willie said that.

[Jase Robertson]

And I really. I'm glad you said that. It makes me think of that verse in Galatians 4 where it says, until Christ is formed in you, you know, there's a process.

[Willie Robertson]

I was talking about the transition to transformation.

[Jase Robertson]

That's what you said. It was a good line. Because what's fascinating about the way God works is he uses you despite you being immature in him as you're growing and learning. And Phil just. He never stopped sharing Jesus. But as he got older, you started seeing more of the love of Christ and the character of God. Even in his last few months. I mean, he was doing things that were downright syrupy, if I may say, with the grandkids, even our daughter in.

[Zach Robertson]

Laws, which was not his personality.

[Jase Robertson]

Not his personality.

[Zach Robertson]

The verse I thought of on that is because y' all didn't. And our family's like this. I love this about our family. No one is gonna get up there and paint the picture that's not real of who Phil was. And Phil was. You kind of mentioned this. Jesus is the main character. Phil was a sinful man like the rest of us. But it's funny how you'll take the flaws of a man and we make fun of that. We laugh at that. But we laugh at it because we truly believe that love covers a multitude of sins.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, exactly.

[Zach Robertson]

And so the man's life, whatever it is, flaws he had, were just swallowed up by his love for God and the grace of God. And I think you see that. I mean, that's the kingdom.

[Jase Robertson]

No, that's right. That's why I read the text in First John, which, if you watch the funeral, you'll see the way I did it. I centered it around the verse, which is hard to wrap your head around, that whoever wants to claim to live in Christ must walk as Jesus did. And as a young Christian, when I read that, I thought, well, that's impossible. I can't do that. What does that mean? But if you read the whole Book of John. So I chose a chapter which kind of went with their theme, and I didn't even know what the theme was with the worship songs and love one another, and there's no fear in love.

[Willie Robertson]

Everything was so compartmentalized. But the Holy Spirit was obviously working because it all blended exactly.

[Jase Robertson]

I thought I've randomly come up with the verse that backed up the songs because Phil, he had a lack of fear. Reed mentioned that even having the conversation with used car salesman or whatever, you know, there is a fear that comes up. That's why people don't want to have difficult conversations. But when you look at what Jesus life was about, he had very difficult conversations.

[Zach Robertson]

Well, I want to tell you about our friends at Tomorrow Clubs. I love these guys, by the way, because camp's been a big part of my own life experience. Actually it's where I met Jesus at for the first time. And Tomorrow Clubs, they are trying to reach children for Christ. They remind us that over a billion children in the world have never heard about Jesus. And that feels a little bit overwhelming. In fact, that feels very overwhelming. But God does have a plan. You know, Jesus told his disciples to go make disciples of all nations. And this summer the Tomorrow Clubs are hoping to do just that. They're hoping to bring Christ centered summer camps to 30 communities around the world. The Tomorrow Club's camps are more than just a fun experience. These are like a powerful launching point for people to get into Christian discipleship. Many of the kids in these areas meet Jesus for the very first time at a camp. I want to tell you about Ksenia. Ksenia fled the war in Ukraine twice carrying the weight of fear, grief, the loss of some of her close friends. And then last summer she decided to attend one of these Tomorrow Club camps and she met Jesus for the first time. And that moment changed everything for her. Today Ksenia is actually a leader in the groups and she's sharing the hope of Christ with other kids. And so these summer camps are the other primary way and the primary a tool in which the Tomorrow Clubs enter into these new communities. And often it's in some of the most overlooked and forsaken places in the world. And so we want to be a part of this because we believe in long term discipleship. That's why we are inviting Unashamed Nation to bring Christ centered discipleship to 3,000 kids this summer through 30 Bible camps around the globe. So here's what you can do to help. Just $1,000 sponsors a five day camp for 100 kids. Sponsor a day camp for 200 bucks or send 10 kids to camp for $100. Any amount will help. To be honest with you, let us help this incredible ministry bring the gospel to 3,000 kids in some of the hardest to reach places on Earth by visiting TomorrowClubs.org 30camps or simply text 30camps to 4432-one-to-give today.

[Jase Robertson]

He didn't care about making people mad, glad, or sad, because he did. Every time he had a conversation with them, he spoke the truth in love. That's what he did. And so I made the point that Phil. After a while, it hit me that this is God living in him. This is Jesus living in him. And I said something I thought might be controversial, but I was like, I know we're calling this the funeral. I was like, phil Robertson's funeral happened when he was 28.

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

Because I saw a person died 12ft away from where he was, and that person needed to die because I had bitterness toward that person. And that's why I said, when he was giving his first speech. And since it was so bumpy, you know, I just. I had some bitterness toward my dad, but mostly how he treated mom when we were little kids, you know, not so much us, I guess. And so I just, you know, there was just trauma, bitterness, whatever you want to call it. I'm sure child psychologists would figure it out.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

And so I kept thinking, that's why.

[Willie Robertson]

You'Re the way you are now, James.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah. I was like, he'll never last. He'll never last. But what really turned the corner, and I think God used him. When he preached that sermon, I was so shocked that the name of it was the Bad News and the Good News. And it was the same sermon that I had heard hundreds of times in the living room that he would share with people. And in the duck line, I thought, well, he just did the same thing he always does. I was fascinated. I thought, oh, we're fixing to hear. Because I was thinking, we're at a church now. I'm fixing to hear some deep. No, it was just the story of Jesus. He basically told about his past, and it really had impact on me.

[Zach Robertson]

And I thought because it was the same thing. He'd been living.

[Jase Robertson]

That's right. There's no difference. It's the same thing. He'd been talking and living. And I thought, I think I need to look into this.

[Zach Robertson]

Wow.

[Jase Robertson]

And he had made a mention about, you need to know who Jesus is. So I just. I read the Book of John, and I was kind of trying to get around it. I remember just reading it, thinking, you know, what does that mean? But the more I read. And actually, when I got to John 21, where he. Because I was into fishing at 14, that's all I cared about was hunting and fishing. And I thought, now he came back from the dead, why would he go catch a bunch of fish? I mean, you just gotta remember, at 14 years old, this was like, why would he do that? And I thought, because it's the most fun thing you can do. And he did it with people he used to do that with. And I thought, how exciting. Like, he died, and they're like, oh, it's all over. And now he went, and the first thing he did was what I would do. I was like, let's y' all want to go fishing? And then it just kind of hit me. They're eating fish with a guy that used to be dead.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

And I don't know. In that moment, I thought, if there's a way to live forever, I think this is it. And it kind of broke me. And I went in there and I was like, well, you know, Phil, I've come to a conclusion. I think I realize why you change your life. And he was. You know, of course, Phil was like, yeah. I mean, everything was like, yeah, thank. Where you been?

[Reed Robertson]

Yeah. That's what I think is so. I mean, that's so impactful to me. And, I mean, you probably don't even realize this. I mean, maybe you do, but, you know, Sadie asked a question on her podcast I was on the other day, which, by the way, I gotta say this. Her producer said, reed's just like Jace, but spicier. I don't know.

[Zach Robertson]

But that means you're like, phil, you.

[Reed Robertson]

Can put that one in your pocket. I had to say that.

[Zach Robertson]

Spicy.

[Reed Robertson]

But she asked. She has a great question. She said, how did your. How did Phil's example impact your dad? And. And how did that impact you? And I told. I. I told it from my perspective that, you know, my dad was obviously impacted by. By papaw Phil and gave his life to Christ. And then. And when I wanted to be baptized, you know, I had seen throughout the years of my childhood, you know, three or four times a week, people sitting on our couch, you preaching them the gospel. They're crying, you know, and. And having these moments there, you know, and I'm just walking. Walking through the house, doing my thing or whatever. And I'm seeing this every day, it seemed like. And you would say, go read the Book of John. Come back. You need to figure out who Jesus is, you know, and that's how you would start it. And then I come to you and I say, hey, I want to be baptized. And. And nothing was different. You Said, go read the book of John. Come back. I mean, it was like carbon copy, you know, and it just.

[Jase Robertson]

Funny, now that I think about it.

[Reed Robertson]

And so, yeah, I mean, you may not even have realized that, you know, but it's just that's. That's so impactful that, I mean, he. He's. I mean, I know I'm biased because he's my grandpa, but I mean, to me, he was the ultimate human example of what it meant to live with the Holy Spirit inside of you and live your faith as a Christ follower. I mean, he did not care. He said, I got the Holy Spirit inside of me and I'm rocking and rolling with that and I want to bring as many people along with me as possible.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah, exactly.

[Willie Robertson]

We've compared him a lot on here to John the Baptist. To me, it has that same feel. The wilderness, the out there, the holy ground being where the Holy Spirit is. You know, it's funny, Jace, my experience was so different from yours, and yet it was another aspect of dad, so. Mine, and I just briefly mentioned it yesterday, but I was a prodigal, so I followed the bad footstep, like what I saw, what I was raised with and, you know, the evil one got to me at 14.

[Jase Robertson]

So, I mean, your defense, even though we none of us truly have a defense. I mean, you were five years older than me.

[Willie Robertson]

Right.

[Jase Robertson]

And you were put in charge at too young of an age. I mean, you basically raised us for.

[Willie Robertson]

A few years and now you see what happened. But. But so my experience at 18 to come back home and. And very much like the story in Luke 15, dad, His Grace and his acceptance and his lack of like, well, here's the rules and here's the way it's going to be. He just, you know, he just embraced me and I didn't expect it. Like, I thought.

[Jase Robertson]

I didn't either. I was shocked.

[Willie Robertson]

I know.

[Jase Robertson]

And I was like, get the rocks out.

[Willie Robertson]

There's no recovery in our story. Jason's the older brother, even though he's the younger brother. We talked about this.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, I was, but it was just so. You know, when you're young.

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

From my age perspective, you had done so many vile things. I needed my presence. You were sneaking from feeling ca.

[Willie Robertson]

You didn't know. You thought, he's back, but he ain't changing.

[Jase Robertson]

I was like, this dude, string him up. It's over.

[Willie Robertson]

Thank the Lord that Jason wasn't the one. But anyway, so dad has this perspective of grace and. And so that obviously then has impacted me as A. As a man. Because then I plugged in to where Jace is talking about. We had this little group of people there together, and I'm brand new, like. But I had been. I raised. I was the only one raised in a church. I grew up in church because their preacher took me all the time, and Jan had an influence. So all that came back out. And then all of a sudden, I realized it's like, man, we get to do this together. And so, I mean, my whole life has been a ministry partnership inside the family and mostly with mom and Dad. I mean, from 18 to right up until yesterday. And the blessing of getting to do that and all the groups. There was a couple there yesterday that we used to drive to Alexandria every Thursday night, days, remember, and have a house church down there with these people because we were baptizing like crazy and in hotel swimming pools. And I mean, that was just something that the Lord just. It just. It was a wave that came through, and we answered it.

[Jase Robertson]

And some of the members of that house church were there.

[Zach Robertson]

They were there yesterday.

[Jase Robertson]

Which one of the. Kurt's wife. Maybe I should mention them because it's kind of embarrassing. She come up to me and she's like, I need to tell you something. You know, So I thought we were fixed to talk about Phil. And she's like, 25 years ago, you and one of your brothers, you know, absolutely destroyed the gift that we brought your mom because y' all were horsing around. And I was like, you sure it wasn't me? And she's like, oh, it was you. And she said. And I chewed you out. And she said what? She told me. And she did. She raised her voice and was like, I cannot believe that you are destroying your mom's property. This was a gift from us, and you just have no respect.

[Willie Robertson]

It must have been you and Willie, because it wasn't me.

[Jase Robertson]

She just said, me and one of my brothers. I'm assuming it was a Willie. And she said, I just want to say I'm sorry about that. She said, I think I can't. Yeah. Bothered her. I was like, I have no memory. So I had learned forgiveness at that time. If you said something, bro, I was.

[Willie Robertson]

Like, you should have been chewed up.

[Zach Robertson]

I was going to say, well, that's.

[Jase Robertson]

What I. I told her. I was like, but the more I'm thinking about the story you're telling me, I think you did the right thing by getting on there. I was like, there's no reason for an apology. I just thought that was a weird moment.

[Willie Robertson]

Yesterday, because y' all were like teenagers. Y' all were young.

[Zach Robertson]

One of my favorite memories. And this. This won't be in the. It wasn't the funeral. It was when we all went to the grave site. And so I was like, I guess I didn't know exactly. I knew my mom where she was buried in the general vicinity. And I don't know why I didn't know that they had these plots together.

[Willie Robertson]

But look at all that.

[Jase Robertson]

I didn't either, Zach. So I'm like, man, you must have missed the memo on this.

[Zach Robertson]

So I want to tell you about our new sponsor, Rocket Money. It's an app that I've been using, and I have actually discovered some issues with my wife, Jill. Did you know that?

[Jase Robertson]

Wait, what?

[Zach Robertson]

Oh, yeah, yeah. So Jill has oversubscribed to multiple subscriptions. I won't tell you which ones that she's done, but there's been multiple subscriptions that I'm finding out that you have actually signed up for two or three times at Rocket Money as a. Actually helped us out, Jill.

[Jase Robertson]

Oh, that's wonderful. I'm so glad.

[Zach Robertson]

Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending, and helps lower your bills so you can grow your savings. I can see all my subscriptions in one place, and I can see if there's something I don't want there. And then Rocket Money can help me cancel it. Rocket Money's dashboard gives me a clear way to access all of my accounts in one place, and I can create a personalized budget to keep my spending on track, get alerts if my bills increase, which happens to time to time. Oh, I didn't know about that. Bill went up if there's any unusual spending activity. Plus, they have this new goals feature that can automatically save money for you. Rocket Money will even try to negotiate lower bills for you. They automatically scan your bills to find opportunities to save you money, and then you can ask them to negotiate those bills for you. And they'll deal with the customer service team so you don't have to. Rocket money has over 5 million users. They saved a total of. Listen to this. $500 million in canceled subscriptions. That's half a billion dollars. That's a lot. Saving members up to $740 a year when they use all of the app's premium features. So cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Download the Rocket Money app and enter our show name. Unashamed with the Robertson family in the survey so they know that we sent you. Don't wait. Download the Rocket Money app today and tell them that you heard about them from our show. I'm like, I get up there and like, Bill, his. His. Where he was laid into the ground was right next to my mom.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah.

[Zach Robertson]

And then. And then there's a. One that marks there for, I guess, later on, But. But of course, I. You know, that. That was. I. I didn't get the. I didn't follow Phil's instructions. I did cry quite a bit yesterday, and that was one of them. And then you said something that I thought was one of the greatest things ever, because there's so many people in that graveyard that we do know.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Zach Robertson]

And you're talking about the resurrection.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Zach Robertson]

And I just. And I. I was thinking, like, when.

[Willie Robertson]

They come, I used to say, this is the place.

[Jase Robertson]

That, too. I. I was sitting there and I thought. All of a sudden, I just. My mind went to that image, I guess, like a movie. And I can see all, you know, like, feel. And they're.

[Willie Robertson]

It's gonna happen right here.

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, this is gonna be. It's cool.

[Willie Robertson]

I used to say when I lived out there, that's what I told the story, because I. I did this all the time because I was like, I'm. This is my neighborhood. All my mentors are there now. My family's there. The people that I respected in life are there. I was like. And I used to live next door to it. And I was like, if the resurrection comes while I'm still alive, it is going to be a show. I mean, I'm going right over there because everybody. Because it says the Bible says they're going to come up, you know, first, so.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, I'll confess, I thought, I wonder if it'd be wrong to put a deer cam over on the. On a pine tree facing the three crosses. Look, so when the resurrection happen, I get it, we're all going to live forever and all that, but I would like to see it and watch the GoPro. Yeah. I just want to watch the footage when it actually happens. I was like, I wonder if they'd give me permission to do that. And I thought it may be stupid. I didn't think that yesterday.

[Zach Robertson]

Ah, man. I do have that image, though. And I think. I think that was like, the whole legacy is wrapped up in that. It's the resurrection of the dead, which does sound wild, but it is our hope. You know what I mean? And I don't think it's just a hope. I think when you're in those moments, and I was. I came in, you know, to the room. Y. Y' all. Y' all been walking with Phil to the end. So we talked about this off camera, but so it's a little different experience. I remember going through that with my mom. Like, I. I've been walking with her, but if you hadn't seen her in a year and you come into the thing, it's kind of like. So for me, it's a little more shocking just because I hadn't.

[Jase Robertson]

When you walked in and this was, what, a month, I guess, before he died.

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

We walked into the facility, and Zach just lost him when he saw him. But I'm glad you brought this up, because I did bring this up at the end of my remarks, was that I really struggled with how much he was suffering because he really started digressing physically and mentally. And it kind of hit me that every time I thought he was completely gone as far as communication wise, something would happen, usually with the grandkids or the wives or whatever, and he would just lift up and say something. He whispered to Sadie, full strength ahead. One moment. My daughter started singing one night. She just. Tears flowing down her face. And he had done nothing all day to show any signs that he was with us. And he reached out his hand and held her hand. Well, what is my daughter. Look at my daughter's perspective of that. And it kind of hit me that I thought, you know, yeah, he's suffering, and we know that it won't be long. But it hit me in that moment, I thought, God does a lot of good work in suffering. I thought about Romans 5. You know, it produces character, produces hope. And we always think about it, the people who are suffering. But it's like, well, what about all these people that are getting these nuggets? My daughter's never going to forget that. The rest. And she has been a warrior through this process. You know, she just said, I want to go in and help Papa, Phil, Mama, okay? And she's been there every step of the way, and she was one of the ones leading the singing. So it kind of hit me. I thought, yeah, God does some of his best work in suffering. I mean, you think about the cross itself, because really, sacrifice is a reflection of love. And so I think Phil got that in the moment. And so I ended the thing telling the last time that we had a conversation, because I didn't even think he was aware. And I was telling him, it's okay. I was like, we're good, because I Thought, maybe I need to give him permission because he was just digressing so much. But when I said, you're going to meet Jesus, well, he just came, too. And he's like. He grabbed my hand. He said, let's go. I thought, what is he talking about? And then it hit me. I was like, oh, he wants me to take him.

[Willie Robertson]

He's ready to go.

[Jase Robertson]

He's like, he thought you were gonna take me? And I said, I'll tell you what, I'll go get him. Cause I didn't know how to get out of the situation. And I thought, that. Isn't that what prayer is?

[Zach Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jase Robertson]

I was like, I'm gonna go. And on the way out, I told Missy, I said, let's go. Because he started banging the rail, like, saying, no, I'm ready to go. Take me. I'm ready. Of course, the next day, you know, he went on. But I thought, you know, isn't that something? And so I kind of used it as a call to the family, because I know we had, you know, you mentioned it, three or four hundred members of our family. And I thought, there's bound to be a couple here that might have lost their way and their focus to Jesus. And so I used that moment saying, are you that excited, you know, to look at your Creator and be in his presence?

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah. And that was, I'd say, the arch theme of yesterday. The last. You know, the only time I really broke down and cried was the first. First day dad was in the facility. Because I realized that now it's like, we're heading. This has been a few months ago. But I started praying over him. It was just me and him, and I just had my hand on his arm and I was praying, and I just started crying. I just could not stop. And it took me to take eight sentences. It took five minutes. And so I got through it. And as soon as it was over, he reached out and he patted me on the hand, and he was like, you did good.

[Jase Robertson]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Willie Robertson]

Then I went out and cried in the truck, you know, But. So that was it. But I felt like that was my grief release. And I realized. And so. But after that, it just kind of became something different. And really, I want to say something, because we're running out of time. But you. You came that last night, and you got in. You'd been. Y' all been on vacation. We'd spent time with you down there. And then you dropped your family off and came right on. And. And Phyllis was there the last night, and so was Burley, who's their nurses, and they're just so helpful.

[Jase Robertson]

But y' all turned into the trinity of representatives. Reed, Burley, and Phyllis, which was quite the.

[Willie Robertson]

It was. And nobody would have planned that. It just happened. But. But Reed, what you did that was so powerful about being there was. Was secure. Mom, you know, you got in the bed with her, and she was like, you know, we just get in the bed. Yeah, sure, I'm okay. And. But just you brought to her and this. This whole time, so proud of you for that. And it reminded me of, like, when you're one of the older, oldest grandkids, like, you realize you have to step into the moment. I mentioned Nan yesterday. She's been great, too, but it's like, you realize this is my role, you know, and. But you come into that as a man or as a woman about where you fit into a family. And so getting to watch that, you know, this. These last few days has been.

[Zach Robertson]

Kay came in last night. We were all over at Willie's eating dinner, and Kay was leaving, and they will are in there, and it's like, all the guys, probably 15 guys in the room. Reed was in there, and she was like, now Reid's been putting me to bed every night, and I've heard that 15 times.

[Jase Robertson]

Well, it's gotten weird. Reed's worried about that, about going home, and I know we're out of time, but again, Reed won't say this because he wouldn't want to be bragging on himself, but he literally drove. You know, they had just been on vacation. He drove his family to Nashville, and then in the middle of the night, drove down and then stayed up all night with Kay and Phil. And Reed was there when Phil breathed his last, and he comforted Kay, and they formed a bond. And he was worried about leaving now because she's so attached to him. But I was really proud that Reid stepped up and she's gonna be okay.

[Zach Robertson]

I think she knew that because last night, her charge was, Reid's been putting me to bed every night. And then she's like, well, I'm gonna need basically all y' all. I need chauffeurs.

[Willie Robertson]

And she.

[Zach Robertson]

He's telling the whole room of guys. You guys are now. I think she knew you were leaving on some level. And it's like, now the rest of the rest of y' all just know I'm still the queen.

[Willie Robertson]

We're out of time. I want to tell you two things I brought today. One is I brought dad's Bible which was on his casket Yesterday opened the Matthew 28. I don't know who opened it. That probably Grace who who did a flyer arrangement. And so that I brought that as a reminder that it's always about this podcast has been about the word, about being unashamed. And I brought this, which was the picture just to show you guys that are watching. And so dad's kind of larger than life anyway. And this is a giant picture that was down front and then we had the painting of Tony that made of him baptizing a woman down front. And it was just the perfect thing as a reminder of what this is all about. So Unashamed Nation. We love you guys so much. You guys have been there for us. We're carrying the legacy now. Now we're going to be doing just what he trained us to do. It's not going to stop. And so you need to grow where you're planted and keep doing what we're doing, reaching people. That's. That's the best thing you could do. Thanks for listening to the Unashamed podcast. Help us out by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube. And be sure to click the little bell and choose all notifications to watch every episode.

[Jase Robertson]

So.