“I hope I was kind, gentle and respectful.”

That’s what Pete Jacobs told the South Whidbey Record when he was featured in a 1996 Hometown Hero article and was asked how he would like to be remembered.

He succeeded.

South Enders today remember Jacobs exactly for these attributes and the many ways he chose to display these virtues.

Jacobs, the owner of Langley’s Dog House Tavern Backdoor Restaurant, passed away on Friday at about 2 a.m. following a heart attack.

The community’s appreciation for the man who was the head, heart and limbs of the Dog House is reflected by the flowers and notes put down in his memory in the entry way of the tavern.

For many years, Jacobs contributed in countless ways to the community.

“His generosity exceeded his needs so he could help others. Of course, he and Wendy gave those great Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the folks who had no place to go,” said local woodcarver Pat McVay.

Jacobs put on dinners for those left lonely over the holidays.

Some came because they had no other place to go, most simply liked the company of Jacobs and his wife Wendy on Christmas. Sometimes as many as 250 people came together.

That was one of the many ways that Jacobs gave to the community, said Warren Bianchi, a Dog House employee.

“Being with Pete was being with family,” Bianchi said.

Many such memories have echoed through South Whidbey since Friday.

McVay, who has so many of his carvings displayed at the Dog House, including the basset hound in front, remembers Jacobs for his generosity toward the community and belief in those that others had already given up on.

“Pete was always a wonderful, generous, kind-hearted guy. He was always donating to all the community causes, hiring the young kids and trusting them to be responsible,” McVay said.

Jacobs believed in giving people a chance, especially those who already had their first, sometimes second chance somewhere else.

“He gave me my first job at 15, and I am 32 now,” said Dog House employee Lila Haynes.

“I was a bit rough around the edges — a teenager, but he didn’t care.”

“Pete had the amazing ability to see past what may have been less appealing to some people,” she said.

Haynes, who just recently returned to work at the Dog House, said she feels blessed that she had the chance to share the past year with Jacobs.

In recent years, Jacobs held the senior breakfast for Bayview High School, which often became one of the favorite graduation memories for students, said Jean Shaw, a teacher at Bayview High School.

“He has been doing so many great things,” she said.

“He was just a wonderful, wonderful man.”

Jacobs’ spirit was what attracted many to him.

Jacobs was born on June 13, 1939 in Long Beach, Calif. He attended Long Beach High School, Long Beach State and UCLA, and served on submarines in the Navy. He bought the Dog House in the early 1980s.

He was a devoted family man, a loving husband and father. Jacobs married Wendy on Sept. 7, 1962.

They had two children, Julie and Michael. Many locals know daughter Julie as Pete’s left hand at the Dog House.

But more recent additions to the family, the grandchildren and his beloved basset hounds, were always on top of his list, Haynes said.

“His grandkids and the bassett hounds — that’s what he lived for,” she said with a smile.

Haynes recalled watching the children help grandpa and pretend to be working with him. He always played along.

The kids were smart, picking up their work ethic from their grandfather as Jacobs was a prime role model.

Jacobs was a hands-on guy, Bianchi said. You’d find him behind the bar at the Dog House, working in the small kitchen, moving and lifting boxes with deliveries, even mopping the floors.

“He never came here to stand around,” Bianchi said.

“The restaurant and the community were his passions.”

Jacobs had his own style and created the landmark tavern’s unique atmosphere.

Drew Kampion, a local writer, bonded with Jacobs, who used to be a surfer back in California, over surf stories.

“Pete always kept his surfer attitude. Life was a wave,” Kampion said.

Like a true surfer, Jacobs went with the flow and was a positive and resourceful man, Kampion said.

The warm, welcoming atmosphere that Jacobs created in the Dog House made people feel at home, Kampion said.

As a true Langley fixture, Jacobs had a way of making newcomers feel like a part of the community.

Dan Olis, owner of Whidbey Coffee, said Jacobs’ friendly, welcoming attitude made him feel at home when he first started his business in Langley and Olis was the “new kid on the block.”

“I came to Langley in 1994. He welcomed me to town,” Olis recalled. “We were neighbors; I owned the ice cream store next to the Dog House.”

Once again, Jacobs’ open arms attitude helped a man to settle in.

“He is amazing, nothing short of amazing,” Olis said.

Jacobs’ hospitality, sense of humor and his approach to life drew many people toward him. His personality always shone through.

“I liked, many years ago, how he continued to use colored Christmas tree lights for the Dog House after the city of Langley mandated white lights only for all of the community,” McVay recalled.

Countless memories like these made their way through Langley as the community said goodbye to one of their own this week.

Friends organized a celebration of Jacobs’ life at the Dog House Tuesday — a potluck and a chance to get together and share memories.

“Pete has meant so many things to this community. He has shared so many incredible moments with so many incredible people,” said Jim Freeman.

“Pete’s gifts of his time, treasures and talent will never be replaced or equaled. Whether the subject was surfing, baseball, the Navy, basset hounds or our local political dances on South Whidbey, Pete would lend his compassionate ear while offering his wisdom, his smile and his wonderful wit,” Freeman added.

Jacobs’ dedication set standards for the community.

“I can only hope that we as a community can return some of these gifts of support, compassion and love to Pete’s family during this very sad time,” Freeman said.