Richard Douglas Phillips

The great duck blind in the sky got more crowded on February 22 when Richard Douglas "Rick" Phillips waded in alongside Jack, his beloved black lab. A lifelong Methodist, Rick was educated in Catholic schools because his New Orleans-born mother believed the best education was in the hands of the nuns and Lasallian brothers. He attended Blessed Sacrament and later Christian Brothers High School, graduating with the class of 1960. Rick attended Memphis State. He spent most of his career in sales, first at Sears on South Third Street where he would be one of the youngest store managers in the Sears management structure. He often opened the Third Street store after hours for Elvis and his entourage to shop. Later, he was co-owner of Sportsman's OneStop in West Memphis. In between, he was with Union Planters National Bank as Vice President and Trust Officer where he forged lasting friendships. Rick finished his career with GA Robinson Land Company in sales and management of agricultural assets. Throughout his life, he was active in numerous philanthropic and civic organizations all of which he immediately realized would be better off if he was in charge. Rick served United Way of Greater Memphis as chairman of the Budget Committee. He served as State Chairman of Tennessee Ducks Unlimited and on the boards of both the US and Canadian Ducks Unlimited Organizations. When the Ducks decided to relocate their headquarters from the Chicago area, Rick knew exactly where they should land. With his friend and fellow outdoorsman, Bert Robinson, he began working behind the scenes with Memphis and Shelby County officials and philanthropists resulting in the development of the Shelby Farms as the permanent home for Ducks Unlimited International. Duck hunting was a lifelong passion he acquired as a young boy on the White River in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas. He was introduced to the river and the sport by the man he called his grandfather, Larry Church. He was dedicated to hunting, fishing, and the St. Louis Cardinals. A lifelong Boy Scout, he spent many youthful summers at Camp Kia Kima in Hardy, Arkansas. He was an early supporter of the Old Kia Kima Scout Reservation Restoration Project and enjoyed working at the camp rekindling old friendships and gaining new friends who he cherished as family. Closer to home, Rick chaired the Arlington Planning Commission and the Industrial Development Board. These were appointed positions, as his direct, unapologetic, and unfiltered truth would have prevented him from ever being elected to public office. With a keen interest in local politics, he served many years as the election poll master for Arlington. He had no tolerance for anyone who did not exercise his or her right to vote. Jesus Christ and his family always took center stage. Over the years, he was involved in the United Methodist Church as a member at Mullins, Wesleyan Hills, Emmanuel, Colonial Park, and finally with the Arlington Methodist Church. He was active in the Memphis Emmaus Community serving as a lay director and as Chairman of the Board. The son of Richard Louis Phillips and Bertha Schultz Phillips, Rick is survived by three siblings, Forrest Phillips, Mark Phillips, and Tommie Jo Cosby (Steve) all of Arab, Alabama. In his waning days, when things became fuzzy, he never lost his charm. Even while flirting with his caregivers, he made sure that everyone knew that his wife, Janet Wilson Phillips, was his "favorite thing." He was the loving father of Sheila Deeann "Deedee" Kruzan (Brett) and Richard Douglas Phillips, Jr. (Molly) with his wife Barbara. Wilson Corbitt Phillips was the blessing of his later marriage to Janet. He leaves four grandchildren: Talbot Kruzan, Hayes Kruzan, (Abbey), Elise Kruzan, and Kate Phillips. Dear to his heart were his nieces and nephews in both Alabama and Tennessee – Mandy, Layla, Whitney, Justin, Sarah, Ava, Davis, Eli, Evie, Ethan, and Emie. Rick lived life to the fullest and claimed to never have had a bad day. Everyone knew exactly where they stood with him. A gruff exterior protected a tender heart. So many conversations with family and friends ended with a sincere "I love you." Special thanks go to the amazing caregivers at NHC Somerville and to Caris Hospice. Memorials can be directed to Arlington Methodist Church (6145 Quintard, 38002) or online to Old Kia Kima Preservation Association (oldkiakima.org). A memorial service is planned for March 7th at Memphis Funeral Home on Germantown Road. Visitation will be held at 3 p.m. and the service will follow at 4 p.m.