Si Robertson, the younger brother of Duck Commander founder Phil Robertson, is remembering his brother, who died Sunday, May 25, at the age of 79.

Phil Robertson rose to fame alongside his family, including his brother Si Robertson, on the A&E television series Duck Dynasty. When the show premiered in 2012, viewers became enamored with the Robertson family, their love for each other, and their love for God.

Si, who was affectionately known as Uncle Si in the series, quickly became a fan favorite due to his quick wit and mischievous ways. His close relationship with Phil was evident throughout the show, due in part to their shared faith.

Phil Robertson died Sunday, May 25, less than six months after his family shared that he had been diagnosed with a blood disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. In a podcast episode filmed a month prior, Si got emotional talking about Phil’s story and the incredible transformation he witnessed in his brother’s life.

Uncle Si choked back tears in an episode of the Duck Call Room podcast.

“He was so close to losing everything. Losing Kay. Losing his kids. The rest of the family had got with Kay and said, ‘Hey, leave him. Divorce him, and you go ahead and get away from him, and get on with your life,” Si recalled.

He added that their sister, Jan, “jumped on” the family for encouraging Kay to leave Phil and predicted that Phil would one day “win more people to Jesus than you can even imagine.” Jan’s prediction came true. Phil Robertson not only gave his life to Jesus but also spent the rest of it sharing his story and preaching the Gospel.

“You’ve got to think about this. Here’s a man who spends 95% of his time in God’s creation and he didn’t know the Creator. And then when he finally meets the Creator … it changed not only his life, it changed the whole Robertson family’s life. That legacy was from him forward.”

Uncle Si recalled being with his brother before he was born again and said Phil was “the devil himself.” But the transformation Si witnessed he credits only to the grace of God.

“Most people don’t have the opportunity to see someone who was worthless, and I mean my brother was worthless at that time, and then see the change that come over him,” Si said. “You go, ‘What happened to make that much difference in that guy’s life? What could do this?’”

Prior to the release of “The Blind,” a movie about Phil Robertson’s life and redemption story, Si issued a statement about their bond

“I love my brother. We’ve always been a pair,” Si captioned a photo of the two of them. “The movie about our family story hits theaters today and I’m a little choked up about it to be honest. I’m grateful to God that he was always there, even when we didn’t see it.”

Si added that parts of the film “hit home in a raw way,” but he saw them as a testament to the goodness of God instead of a painful reminder of their past.

Si Robertson Mourns the Death of His Brother, Phil

Phil Robertson’s family issued a joint statement announcing his death on Sunday, May 26. The Robertson family wrote that they are celebrating that Phil “is now with the Lord.”

“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus. We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again,” the statement read.

Many members of the family shared photos and their own personal sentiments along with the family statement.

Many members of the family shared photos and their own personal sentiments along with the family statement.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Si and the rest of the Robertson family.