'America's grandpa': Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson dead at 79 following Alzheimer's Battle
Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has died at the age of 79.
Robertson's daughter-in-law Korie Robertson confirmed the reality star's death on Sunday via Facebook.
'We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,' Korie wrote.
'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.'"
It is understood that Robertson was suffering Alzheimer's disease at the time of his death but no cause of death has been revealed.
Born in Louisiana in 1946, Robertson invented a groundbreaking 'duck call', a product which helps lure in ducks for hunting.
The product spawned the successful family business, Duck Commander company, and later a reality series centred on the Robertson family.
Fans of the cult-favourite reality series, which aired on A&E from 2012 until 2017, flooded the comment section to pay tribute to 'America's grandpa'.
'Phil was like America's grandpa who passed along his God-given wisdom for life to pass on to the next generation,' one fan wrote.
'He put smiles on the faces of us all,' another fan added.
'I grew up watching Duck Dynasty as a child, and it was amazing seeing such a God-fearing man leading by example on how to live life while fearing God and hunting ducks.'
The Robertson family patriarch shot to international fame after Duck Dynasty hit the airwaves in 2012.
However, the fan favourite was briefly suspended from the program in 2013 after making controversial comments about homosexuality.
In an interview for GQ Magazine, Robertson was asked "what, in your mind, is sinful?"
Robertson replied: "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. 'Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."
The reality star later attributed his attitudes to his biblical beliefs and insisted he 'would never treat anyone with disrespect' and was reinstated to the show by A&E.
As a result of his Alzheimer's disease, Robertson will not be featured in the upcoming Duck Dynasty revival series, which was produced before the star's death.
Phil is survived by his wife Kay Robertson, their four sons: Alan, Jase, Willie, and Jep, as well as 16 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
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