'Duck Dynasty' Robertson Family Asks for Prayer Following Death of Phil And Si's Brother

Nov 24, 2014 04:57 PM EST

Duck Dynasty's Phil and Si's Brother Mark Francis Robertson
Connie (L) and James "Jimmy Frank" Robertson (R). (Facebook)

Fans of the hit reality TV show "Duck Dynasty" are praying for Robertson family as news broke over the weekend that author Jimmy Frank, the brother of Phil and Si Robertson, died unexpectedly from a heart attack.

"Please pray for the Robertson family," reads a statement on Phil Robertson's Facebook page.

"Phil & Si's brother, Jimmy Frank, passed away this weekend. Please pray for Connie his wife, their sons & families. It's tough to lose such a wonderful man so quickly, he had a heart attack. It will hard on them this week & for a long time after the funeral. Pray for strength for all of them."

Following the announcement, Phil's Facebook page was flooded with support from fans of the show, with many quoting Bible verses and expressing words of comfort.

"Grieve a period as all we must....but those who pass in the LORD are not lost to us....rather only separated for a time that we may anticipate and affirm all the more that sweet and eternal reunion," wrote a fan.

"Lord bless the Robertson family in their time of sorrow. Be with each of them as they deal with the death of a beloved brother. Amen," wrote a commenter.

"The Lord our Savior wrap your family in his comforting arms and give you peace. I'm so sorry for your loss," wrote another.

Si Robertson also expressed his sorrow in a short Facebook statement, simply writing, "Please pray for our family during this time. We do have hope, but it will still be hard. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15."

James "Jimmy Frank" Robertson was one of seven children born to Merritt and James Robertson. He was a devout Christian and an experienced writer who worked in the journalism field for more than fifty years. During his time as a journalist, Jimmy Frank wrote for numerous small town and metropolitan newspapers as well as trade publications with international circulations and corporate magazines.

Although he wrote several books, Jimmy Frank said he "most enjoyed" writing "The Legend of the Duck Commander," a biography of his brother, Phil Robertson.

"It was a great experience writing a book about my younger brother, Phil Robertson," Jimmy Frank wrote on his website.

"I hope his Duck Commander and Duck Dynasty fans enjoy it. It is the original story of Phil's upbringing and the way of life that shaped this unique individual and made him the legend he is today. It's about a reactionary father who taught him he could live off the land, his struggles as a young man to reconcile what he really wanted to do with his life and the steadfast love of his wife Ms. Kay who saw him through his turbulent years. The culmination is in the invention of a duck caller that has made him wealthy and the love of God that led to his present way of life."

Related: 'Duck Dynasty' Star Sadie Robertson Makes the 'Dancing With The Stars' Finals