Last month, we reported that the legendary former Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson had passed away at the age of 79 following a grueling battle with Alzheimer’s disease. On Sunday, the Robertson family was forced to celebrate their first Father’s Day without their beloved patriarch.
To mark this solemn occasion, Phil’s daughter Phyllis Robertson Thomas took to social media to pay a heartbreaking tribute to her father.
‘Father’s Day Feels Different This Year’
“Father’s Day feels different this year,” Phyllis, 50, wrote on Instagram. “It’s my first without my dad here, and I miss him deeply.”
“But even in the ache, I see God’s goodness in the men around me—my husband, and now my son as he raises two sons of his own,” she continued. “What a gift to witness the love, strength, and faith passed down from one generation to the next.”
“I’m thankful for Tony, who leads with God’s wisdom and a steady heart—and for the legacy of faith my dad left behind,” Phyllis concluded. “We carry it forward, with hope.”
Phyllis And Phil’s History
Phyllis was born in 1975 after Phil had an affair. At the time, he was already married to his wife Miss Kay Robertson, who he was still married to at the time of his death.
After her birth, Phyllis’ mother immediately put her up for adoption. It was only in 2019 that Phyllis discovered that Phil was her biological father after she set out on a journey to find out where she came from. In early 2020, Phyllis contacted Phil, who had never known that she existed.
Both Phil and Kay welcomed Phyllis into their family with open arms. Over the next five years, Phyllis developed a close bond with Phil. This meant the world to Phyllis, who has honored Phil on social media multiple times in the weeks since his passing.
‘We Wish We Had More Time…’
“These are just a small glimpse of the countless moments we hold dear,” Phyllis wrote on Instagram the day after Phil’s death. She wrote this alongside a series of photos of Phil bonding with her and her family.
“We’re truly moved by the overwhelming love and prayers shared by so many whose lives were impacted by Dad,” Phyllis added. “We wish we had more time, but we have overwhelming joy knowing he has met Jesus face to face.”
Days later, Phyllis returned to Instagram to post some photos of her bonding with Phil in the kitchen.
“Dad taught me so much, including how to make his best dishes,” she began. “Jambalaya, fried pork chops, pancakes, and mayhaw jelly were just a few. Spending time together preparing and eating these meals are some of my favorite memories.”
“He taught me how to make jambalaya before he taught me to duck hunt,” Phyllis continued. “I’ll miss his food, but I know that he taught me and many others how to carry on cooking these decades-old recipes. I wonder if he’s up in heaven now, serving up some of his best dishes. I can only imagine the look on Jesus’s face when he takes that first bite of my dad’s mayhaw jelly! Sweet perfection!”
Phil’s Alzheimer’s Battle
The Robertson family revealed to the world in December of 2024 that Phil had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, the disease appears to have progressed especially quickly for Phil. Indeed, according to Phil’s son Willie, the Robertson family patriarch had lost all his memories by the time he passed away.
“Alzheimer’s is brutal,” said Willie, 53. “He told me, ‘I don’t have one single memory.'”
Willie then admitted that Phil’s rapidly declining health helped prepare his family for his death.
“Because of how his final days were and his decline we knew he didn’t want to live like that, so we were ready and so was he,” Willie revealed.
Phil’s Death
Phil died on Sunday, May 25, 2025. It was Willie’s wife Korie, 51, who announced Phil’s death to the world that night.
“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,” Korie wrote on Instagram. “He reminded us often of the words of Paul, ‘you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.'”
“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus,” she continued. “We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.”
Phil was a true legend, and there will never be another one like him. Celebrating Father’s Day without him for the first time had to have been extremely difficult for his entire family. At least we can all find comfort in knowing that Phil is with God now, and that he is no longer suffering.
Please join us in saying a prayer for Phyllis and the rest of the Robertson family as they continue to mourn Phil!
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