Obituary: Eli Jacobs
He helped protect Patton's 3rd Army from land mines in World War II, then ran a deli and worked in real estate.
Eli West Jacobs passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, surrounded by family. He was 93 years old.
He was preceded in death by Estelle (Fisher) Jacobs, his beloved wife of 64 years; parents Adolph and Ethel Jacobs; sister Myra Lou Ruben; and brother-in-law Judge Leon Ruben. He was an adored husband, father, brother, “Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, uncle, cousin and dear friend.
Eli was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 15, 1925. He graduated from West End High School and Western Kentucky University. Eli defused land mines as a combat engineer in Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army in World War II. He was awarded two Purple Hearts for his bravery. He aided in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home to Nashville, where he married Estelle and raised four children. He and Estelle owned and operated Zager’s Deli for over 10 years. During his career in real estate, he was professionally (and affectionately) known as “Uncle Eli.” He was a lifelong member of Congregation Ohabai Sholom (The Temple) in Nashville.
He and Estelle moved to Atlanta in 2010. He was a cherished member of the Belmont Village Buckhead assisted living community, his home for nearly eight years. Eli will be lovingly remembered for his congeniality, sense of humor, sharp mind, remarkable memory, passion for big-band music and love of Yiddishkeit. His only regrets were not learning how to play the piano or meeting Mel Brooks.
He is survived by brother Marvin (June) Jacobs of Cincinnati; children Norman Jacobs of Nashville, Shelley (Bob) Antin of Atlanta, Robbie (Ron) Lustig of Nashville, and Jan (Colman) Hoffman of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren Allyson (Ricky) White, Natalie (Katee) Antin-McCarty, Laura (Phil) Shmerling, Brian Lustig, Mark Hoffman, Jamie Antin, Tracey Lustig and Andy Lustig; great-grandchildren Sam and Jake Shmerling; and nieces and nephews.
Please sign the online guestbook at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. at Temple Cemetery, 2001 15th Ave. N, Nashville. Shiva will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the home of Shelley and Bob Antin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Rabbi Spike Anderson’s Discretionary Fund at Temple Emanu-El. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
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