Lt. Col. Albert H. Phillips Ret. USMC

1937 - 2023

Lt. Col. Albert H. Phillips (Ret. USMC)

Albert H. Phillips, 86, of Stafford passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 peacefully at home. Al was born on September 3, 1937 in Uniontown, PA weighing in at over 10 pounds, the largest baby born at Uniontown Hospital.

Al graduated from South Union High School where he was a star defensive player on the football team. He went on to play football at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV. He was a proud member of the TKE fraternity there as well. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1959.

While in Elkins, he met and married the love of his life, Phyllis Jane Woods. They married and spent 65 years together.

Al joined the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Officers Candidate School in 1960. His military career highlights include serving in a recon unit, a Commanding Officer on the USS Independence, a tour in Vietnam, Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, and a tour on the USS LaSalle where he led the mission to evacuate 200 U.S. citizens from Iran.

After retiring from the military, Al and Phyllis settled in Stafford. Al got to live out one of his greatest passions, coaching football at Fauquier and Stafford High Schools.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; and their three children, Timothy Phillips (Louise), Jill McCray (Paul), and Theresa Phillips (Ron); grandchildren Rachel Ware (Jeb), Lindsay McCray (Lawrence), Kelly Giles (Mathew), and Jason McCray; great-grandchildren Maggie Ware, Teddy Ware, and Hudson Giles.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Helen Phillips of Uniontown, PA; and his granddaughter Shannon Carter.

A service will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at St. William of York Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Quantico National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local SPCA.

Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.