Dennis Neil Phillipps

Dennis Neil Phillipps, (Denny), 87, of Spokane, WA, died at home, Thursday, December 11, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born February 13, 1938, in Burwell, Nebraska, the middle son of Maurice (Jim) and Libbie Phillipps.

Denny moved with his family from Burwell, Nebraska in 1940 to Tacoma, WA, followed by a later move to Vader, WA. He grew up helping with the family farm, attending Vader Elementary School and Graduating from Toledo High School. He served from 1956 thru 1960 in the U.S. Navy, reporting as an eighteen-year-old to the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA and later assigned to the U.S.S. Prairie where he experienced opportunities of World Travel.

Denny's work experiences, following the Navy, included Truck Driver and Large
Equipment Operator as a member of the Teamsters Local 252, Centralia, WA, providing an opportunity to work on the Mayfield Dam in Mossyrock, WA. He was a Lumberjack for Weyerhaeuser Company, working out of Coos Bay, OR followed by ten years of employment with The Boeing Company, Vertol Aircraft Corporation, starting in Seattle, WA and then transferred to The Boeing Center in Philadelphia, PA. He successfully completed six weeks of Company sponsored training in EDP, Math, and Blueprint reading. Held responsibilities of Leadman, then Supervisor, Provisional Analyst, and Assistant to the Sales Manager, Maintaining Govt. Records.

While employed at Boeing, Denny met his future wife, Gloria Jean Galuppo, also an employee of Boeing. They were married September 25, 1965 residing in Media PA, later (1979) building a home in Warrington PA. where they resided and continued to raise their family of two sons, Adam and Brian.

Denny was employed from 1975 to 1985 by H.E.L.P. Help Educate Loyal Parents
where he handled Advertising Sales, working closely with Law Enforcement, across the Nation, developing Drug Education materials as well as doing many presentations. From 1985 to 1994 he was employed by Loyal Parents, Inc., doing similar work, with the inclusion of recruiting, training and supervising new sales representatives. Denny's work included consistent traveling throughout the U.S., getting to know the Country like the back of his hand, and giving him a repertoire of stories enough to last a lifetime. The telling of those stories not only delighted the listeners but gave him great pleasure as well.

In 1994 Denny and wife Gloria retired to Dunnellon, FL, where they built a home and lived until she passed in December 2011. They enjoyed traveling, visiting Italy,
Alaska, and many other sunny, international, destinations.

Denny was an avid golfer, making 3 hole-in-ones in his golfing career, a member of the Rainbow Springs Golf and Country Club, enjoyed playing on a pool team, actively enjoyed a good game of poker and often played with a group of friends. He especially enjoyed cars and took care of them like family members. Travel and armchair sports were also a source of entertainment. Denny did not know a stranger; thus, he made friends everywhere he traveled. Although most did not know, he was also one of the "Lucky Duffers", a name dubbed on ten Dunnellon Golfers who, under Denny's leadership all pitched in two dollars to enter the Florida Lottery. The group of ten was one of seven lucky winners of an $85 million Florida Lotto jackpot, and the rest is history!

In 2014, visiting Toledo WA to attend his father's funeral, Denny developed a new
love in his life, renewing a family friendship with Cherylyn (Cheri) Reed. In 2015, Denny & Cheri sold his Florida home moving him to Spokane WA where he lived the remainder of his life. He continued to enjoy golfing and poker games, all kinds of family get togethers, dancing, and travel. They traveled extensively to Hawaii, Palm Springs, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Florida, and across the U.S. He joined Cheri in her hobbies, met new friends, and welcomed three more grandchildren, their partners and two daughters with their husbands. Few people find love twice, but Denny did, bringing happiness to both his life and Cheri's.

Dennis is survived by his loving companion, Cherylyn (Cheri) Reed at home in Spokane; son and daughter-in-law Adam & Victoria Phillipps, and grandson, Nicholas of Riegelsville, PA; son and daughter-in-law Brian and Lorie Phillipps, grandson, Josh and granddaughter, Sarah of Warrington, PA; brother and wife, Arlen and Loretta Phillipps of Toledo, WA; sister-in-law, Linda Phillipps of Castle Rock, WA; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his second family, Shelly and Doug Smith of Liberty Lake, WA and grandson Joshua Smith, companion, Maighread Clark of Liberty Lake WA, Garnet and Brad Davis of Spokane, WA, and grandson Braden Davis and fiancée Taryn Bennett, grand-daughter, Gracelyn Davis and companion Jeremy Pilalas, all of Spokane, WA.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Jean, mother, Libbie, father,
Maurice, his younger brother Ronald Phillipps; and his first cousin, Gary Reed.
A Celebration of Life to honor him, will take place at Liberty Lake Wine Cellars
(23110 E Knox Ave, Liberty Lake, WA) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

It would have been Denny's desire to thank the medical professionals who helped
him throughout his illness, the Visiting Angels of Spokane who provided such loving care. Everyone who knew Denny cared deeply for him, and his absence will be felt by all. In the words of Cheri, "He made the lights in my eyes shine again." I love you honey.