Joseph Jonathan Jacobs (Coach Jacobs) passed away suddenly yet peacefully at the age of 87 on Sunday, December 15, 2013. Joe was born on October 27, 1926 to Jonathan Jacobs and Gazel Mickeal in San Francisco, California. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ila Jacobs.
   Joe attended Turlock High School, where he graduated in the class of 1945. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps for a couple years, where he was a sergeant and traveled the states on the basketball team during WWII. When he returned to Central California, he attended Modesto Junior College, San Jose State University and finally Chapman College, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Education. In 1948, he married Ila Wixcel, with whom he shared a wonderful 65 years.
   Joe enjoyed the best of both worlds with two very successful careers: as a teacher/coach and as a real estate agent. He started teaching at Tuolumne High School in 1951, but after a couple years he and Ila decided to make Manteca their home. It was here that Joe began his 30 plus year tenure at Manteca High School as a PE teacher and coach. During his coaching career, he coached football, basketball, track, and swimming. Several of his teams were undefeated and many won championships. In addition to his job at Manteca High, Joe also decided to become a real estate agent. He worked after school and weekends, first for Raymus Realty, then branching out on his own, starting Jacobs Realty in the mid-1970s. He remained active in the local real estate market for the rest of his life.
   Joe’s love of athletics and accomplishments started young. He played nearly every sport as a child, led his teams in high school and won the California State Decathalon while at San Jose State. He was fortunate enough to make a career out of his passion by becoming an inspiring coach. All of his players found him to be an outstanding leader, both on and off the field. He felt all of his players were champions and encouraged them with his calm strength to become their very best.
Joe remained very much in touch with his Assyrian heritage throughout his life. He enjoyed the Turlock High School Alumni functions and had a deep gratitude for the friendships he and his classmates shared.
   Everyone who knew Joe experienced his generosity. He was always willing to give without expecting anything in return. He was a caring and humble man. Nowhere was this more evident than with his family, who he loved and cherished. He was always supporting and motivating his children and grandchildren, putting their needs ahead of his own. He was a patriarch in the true sense of the word.
Joe is survived by his three children, Mike Jacobs of Manteca, Joey (Delena) Jacobs of Manteca, Karen (Jeff) Stone of Santa Barbara; and his grandchildren, Sara (Jason) Geer of Manteca, Elle Jacobs of Manteca, Adam Jacobs of San Francisco, Andrea Jacobs of Manteca, Julia, JJ and Gracie Stone of Santa Barbara, as well as three great-grandchildren, Brody and Brooke Geer, and Cash Junqueiro, all of Manteca.
   Visitation will be held from 2pm to 6pm, Thursday, December 19 at the Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Road in Turlock. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Friday December 20, at the Turlock Funeral Home.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday December 18, 2013