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Jill Duggar Honors Her Late Father-In-Law on His Birthday: “Can’t Wait to Meet in Heaven!”

So sad. Derick Dillard‘s father, Rick Dillard, has been gone for 10 years now, but he hasn’t been forgotten. On the patriarch’s birthday on Aug. 17, Derick’s wife Jill Duggar shared a tribute to him on Instagram. 

“Happy birthday to the father-in-law I never had the privilege of meeting,” she posted alongside two photos of a young Derick with his dad. “He sure did help raise a great son @derickdillard. Can’t wait to meet in heaven someday! ?”

She also sent her love to Derick’s mom Cathy Dillard and his brother Dan, and included the hashtags “#grandpadillard” and “#legacyleft.” Not only were fans sympathetic to Jill never knowing her father-in-law, but they also couldn’t believe how much Derick’s father looked like him when he was young. 

“His sons look just like him! ?,” said one fan. “Is that Derick’s Dad younger? Wow Derick and he could be Twins and from the looks of it Israel will be their triplet ?,” said another. 

derick dillard dad

Derick Dillard’s dad as a young man. (Credit: Instagram)

Derick honored his dad on the nine-year anniversary of his death in Jan. 2017. “Nine years ago today I said goodbye to the greatest man I knew,” he wrote alongside a photo of his dad in his police uniform. “The greatest, namely, because he taught me in word and deed about Jesus Christ. He protected and served the public as a police officer, and he loved God and his family. His time came sooner than expected, but I know he would have loved being grandpa Dillard to little Israel too. He is my dad, and I look forward to seeing him again on the other side of eternity. Rick W. Dillard (1957-2008).”

While it’s sad that Derick doesn’t have his father around while raising his two sons with Jill, they can still lean on his mom Cathy and her parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. 

For more news on the Duggars, listen to our Dishin’ on the Duggars podcast below and subscribe on iTunes and Google Play. 

Relive the sweetest Duggar family moments by scrolling through the gallery!

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