Tributes paid to 65-year-old man after his obituary goes viral: 'Made me wish I knew him'

An amusing obituary for a 65-year-old man has prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media in memory of a man described as a “living, breathing ‘hang loose’ sign”.

Randall Jacobs, from Phoenix, Arizona, died on 4 May at the age of 65. This week, a photo of the newspaper obituary written for Jacobs has gone viral, after it was shared on Twitter, where it has since been liked more than 116,000 times.

According to the obituary, Jacobs, known to his friends as RJ and to his family as Uncle Bunky or The Bunkster, died after “having lived a life that would have sent a lesser man to his grave decades earlier”.

Describing Jacobs as a man who burnt the candle, “and whatever else was handy,” at both ends, the obituary remembers the 65-year-old for his humour and larger-than-life personality.

“He spoke in a gravelly patois of wisecracks, mangled metaphors, and inspired profanity that reflected the Arizona dive bars, Colorado ski slopes, and various dodgy establishments where he spent his days and nights,” the tribute reads.

Jacobs was also reportedly a family man who liked to tease his nephews, and who was known for his “Bunky-isms,” which included the “sage advice” to “Do what Bunky say. Not what Bunky do.”

The obituary also reflected on the other sides of Jacobs, describing him as a “gentle soul,” despite his “chaotic energy and hysterical charm”.

“A night out with Bunky could result in a court summons or a world-class hangover, but his friends and family would drop whatever they were doing to make a trip out to see him,” the obituary states. “His impish smile and irreverent sense of humour were enough to quell whatever sensibilities he offended.

“He didn’t mean any harm; that was just Bunky being Bunky.”

The obituary concludes with the acknowledgement that “the party will never be the same without him” before asking that in lieu of flowers, those who want to remember Jacobs instead “pay someone’s open bar tab, smoke a bowl, and fearlessly carve out some fresh lines through the trees on the gnarliest side of the mountain”.

On Twitter, thousands of people have shared their condolences to Jacobs, despite not knowing him.

“Oh my gosh, what a fun life ‘Bunky’ must have had, and what an awesome obit. Death isn't a happy situation but I found myself smiling as I read it. I think Uncle Bunky would have been pleased,” one person tweeted.

Another said: “I already miss him, and I didn’t know about him until five minutes ago.”