James Augustus “Gus” Jacobs, 88, of Bel Air, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2025. Born in Lynch, Kentucky, Gus was the son of the late Henry and Mildred (Taylor) Jacobs and the beloved husband of Susanne (Jeffrey) Jacobs, who he recently celebrated 56 years of marriage with.
Gus graduated with pride from The Citadel, Class of 1960, where he was a member of the esteemed Summerall Guards Honors Precision Drill Team. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Artillery and served with distinction during two years of active duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
After his military service, Gus began a dedicated federal career at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Starting as a Training Specialist at the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, he advanced to Lead Technical Writer and Training Instructor, where his contributions were instrumental in training future soldiers on Smoke and Decontamination Systems.
An accomplished athlete, Gus had a passion for running. He completed 11 marathons, including three Boston Marathons, and participated in a remarkable 500 races throughout his life. Beyond his personal achievements, Gus was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather – cheering enthusiastically for his grandchildren at their games and school events.
A man of deep faith, Gus was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church in Bel Air, where he served as a Head Usher for several years.
Gus’s life was defined by dedication to his family, faith, and community.
He is survived by his son, Jon Jacobs of Bel Air, MD; his daughter, Jamie Kleman (Bill) of Landenberg, PA; and his cherished grandchildren, Abby and Will Kleman.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, February 8th from 1:00 to 2:00pm at Calvary Baptist Church at 206 E. Courtland Place, in Bel Air, MD under the caring guidance of McComas Family Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Benevolent Fund, 206 E. Courtland Place, Bel Air, MD 21014.