James Phibbs Jr.

NEWBERRY — James Henry "Pop" Phibbs, Jr., 90, of Newberry, died Friday, June 12, 2015, at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Phibbs was born on November 16, 1924 in Newberry, a son of the late James Henry and Rosa Crapps Phibbs. During his junior year at Newberry College, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Canberra Aviation Unit during WWII. He worked in the lumber industry his entire adult life.

He was a member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church where he was the Sunday School Superintendent for 32 years. He also was a member of Amity Masonic Lodge # 87, Newberry York Rite Bodies, Hejaz Shrine Temple, and the Newberry Shrine Club. He truly enjoyed his participation in the Shrine, but most of all, he enjoyed spending as much time as he could on Lake Murray and with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruby Hester Phibbs; his son and daughter-in-law, James H. "Jimmie" "Do-Nut" and Cassandra Cockrell Phibbs of Prosperity; his granddaughter and her fiancée', Brooke C. Phibbs and Joshua Pressley; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was predeceased by his sister, Margie Phibbs Smith and brothers, Alford Phibbs and Charlie Phibbs.

The family will be at his residence, 2210 Glenn St, Newberry and will receive friends there from 5 pm. until 7 p.m. Sunday.

Graveside funeral services with military honors and Masonic Rites will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in Newberry Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Rodney Gunter.

Memorials are suggested to Shriner's Hospital for Children, c/o Hejaz Shrine Temple, PO Box 667, Mauldin, SC 29662.

Active pallbearers will be Johnny Smith, Bill Hester, Brian Franklin, Brian LeCompte, Mike Dominick, Tony Hedgepath, and Jerry Hester. Honorary pallbearers will be all the Shriners in attendance.

Please share your memories or condolences at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com

Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.