**Phil Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" Passes Away at 79**

Renowned outdoorsman and patriarch of the famous "Duck Dynasty" family, Phil Robertson, has passed away at the age of 79. His family confirmed the news through a statement issued by his daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson. "We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord," the statement began.

The Robertson family expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support and prayers they received. "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. 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," Korie's statement continued.

The exact cause of death was not disclosed, but Phil’s son, Jase Robertson, had previously mentioned on the family podcast in December that Phil was dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Phil Robertson was the founder of Duck Commander, a business known for making duck calls and other duck hunting supplies. "Duck Dynasty," which aired from 2012 to 2017 on A&E, explored the life of the Robertson family and their multimillion-dollar sporting empire. In the duck hunting community, Phil was seen as an innovator, as noted in a statement on the Duck Commander Instagram page: "In the duck hunting world he was an innovator.. a man with an unwavering love for what he did best...and enjoyed most."

In 2013, Phil Robertson faced controversy and was temporarily suspended from "Duck Dynasty" due to comments he made about homosexuality in an interview with GQ magazine. Despite this, the show resumed filming shortly after with the entire family, including Phil.

The "Duck Dynasty" Facebook page also expressed their condolences: "We are saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Robertson, a hunting industry pioneer and the patriarch of the beloved Robertson family. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences and respect their privacy as they grieve."

Phil Robertson’s family intends to have a private service initially, with plans to share details about a public celebration of his life soon. "We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life. We're having a private service for now, but we'll share details soon about a public celebration of his life," the family said.