Phil Robertson’s Surprising Ties to Missouri Remembered

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson left this world today, but the impact of his life will forever be remembered including his very unexpected connection to Missouri that was just revealed a few years ago.

I saw Jase Robertson mention on his Facebook page about an hour ago that his dad, Phil Robertson, had passed on today. Phil's health had been in severe decline over the past few months as his family revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Much will be written about Phil's life, but I'd like to remember his connection to Missouri that was only revealed a couple of years ago.

What was Phil Robertson's connection to Missouri?

Phil Robertson was very outspoken about his earlier life when he lived a wild life. That era led to Phil having family in Missouri that he did not know about until 45-year-old Phyllis Harvey-Thomas who lives in Springfield, Missouri had a DNA test done for her son. She was puzzled to learn that she had a different father than she had known. It was then her mom reluctantly revealed that she had a relationship with Phil Robertson decades ago and he was her biological father.

As the story goes, Phyllis and her family drove to a church were Jase Robertson was speaking and she asked him to give a message to his dad. In an era where many celebrities try to hide their past, Phil Robertson and his family embraced his and welcomed Phyllis into their family like she had been with them since birth.

Phil Robertson left the Earth today, but his memory and legacy will live on. I had the pleasure of being able to interview Willie Robertson years ago and he was one of the nicest people I've had the chance to meet. I was not surprised at all when I saw how welcoming their family was to Phyllis and hers. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today as they mourn the loss of their patriarch who they know they will meet again someday.