Heisman-winning former Florida football quarterback Tim Tebow announced the passing of his father, Bob Tebow, on social media on April 24.

Bob Tebow had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2016 and was recently confined to a wheelchair. He was 78.

"Heaven ushered in a hero last night as my Dad was welcomed home," Tebow wrote in a social media post. "Many will say sorry for your loss put the truth is he's not lost, we know exactly where he is. He's home. Forever."

Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home! Many will say sorry for your loss but the truth is he’s not lost, we know exactly where he is. He’s home.Forever! I asked him last week what he looked forward to most about Heaven, and he simply… pic.twitter.com/kqaKNIjMK8

Bob Tebow and his wife Pam fell in love as UF students and married in 1971. Per Bob Tebow's website, in 1985, they answered God’s call by moving their young family to Mindanao, Philippines, with a vision to share the Gospel with every man, woman, and child. Tim Tebow was born in Philippines in 1987 and has followed his family's calling as Evangelists.

The Tebow family returned to the Jacksonville area where they home-schooled their children. Tim Tebow emerged as a star high school quarterback at Nease High in Ponta Vedra Beach before enrolling at UF, where he helped lead the Florida Gators to national titles in 2006 and 2008.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Former Florida football QB Tim Tebow's father, Bob Tebow, dies at 78