WOODWARD — A crowd estimated at more than 800 filled nearly every available seat in the Woodward-Granger gymnasium Thursday morning for the funeral service of Drew Jacobson.
The 16-year old W-G junior passed away Monday at 7:15 a.m. in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He collapsed Dec. 2 at a basketball practice and was rushed by air ambulance to Des Moines. An official cause of death has not been released, but doctors say acute intensive heart failure, possibly brought about by Goodpasture Syndrome, contributed to his death.
The 51 members of Jacobson’s Class of 2017 all wore red bow ties, and many others in attendance opted to wear red, Drew’s favorite color.
A video montage of images of Jacobson was projected on the south wall of the gym, with the scoreboard showing Drew’s name and a red bow tie. The area before a makeshift stage was filled with floral bouquets, many of which had been sent from schools and teams that Jacobson had competed against in football, basketball and track.
Pastor Rob Saak, who has two children attending W-G (senior Mikayla and sophomore Josh), officiated at the service, which was far less a funeral than an affirmation of the positive impact Jacobson had on so many people in his 16 short years.
Russ Jacobson spoke briefly, as did his two oldest sons, Keegan Sutherland and Riley Jacobson. All encouraged any friends or others who wished to speak to do so.
Hawk football coach George Ashman shared several reflections, including reading from a paper Jacobson had written on the topic of leadership.
A long line of Jacobson’s fellow students, along with a few teachers and adult friends, shared their recollections of Drew, many of them humorous.
The service concluded shortly after 1 p.m., with Jacobson taken outside to a waiting hearse.
Russ Jacobson is a member of the Central Iowa chapter of BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). Several dozen fellow members had attended Wednesday’s visitation and were also present Thursday.
As is tradition for bikers, Russ fired up his ride, gunning the engine as his son was carried outside. When he was done, a large caravan of bikes roared to life (see video below) to “send Drew off,” as his father explained.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help the Jacobson family with expenses. Click here: https://www.gofundme.com/drew-jacobson-fund to contribute. A drop-box accepting donations has also been placed in the Granger City Hall and will remain in place through Dec. 18, at which point the box will be given to the family.
The W-G basketball teams will host Van Meter Friday, Dec. 11 with all fans from both teams encouraged to wear red in support of Drew. A freewill offering will be accepted at Saturday’s Throwback Prom https://theperrynews.com/throwback-prom-proceeds-will-be-donated-to-jacobson-family/ will be donated to the family as well.
Jacobson’s impact has been shown in the response of area schools against which he competed in football, basketball and track. Tuesday the WCV Booster Club raised $770 for the family during their game with Guthrie Center, in which both fan bases and students wore W-G green. Numerous other schools will have “red-outs” when W-G visits their gym this season, with some deciding to donate gate and/or concession proceeds to the family.
Saak, speaking at the beginning of Thursday’s service, summed up what many were feeling.
“Look around you,” he said. “Look at how many people are here, how many Drew touched. We should all feel so lucky to think we might have the same impact on the lives of others that he did in just 16 years.”
The video below does not do justice to the incredible noise level of the BACA bikes as they perform a ceremonial “roll off” for Drew Jacobson, son of fellow BACA member Russ.
