Deborah Gayle Phillips

1954 - 2023

Deborah Gayle Phillips

November 2, 1954 - December 29, 2023

Shawnee, Kansas - Deborah Gayle Meier Phillips, 69, of Shawnee, died at Kansas University Medical Center following a serious and rare illness of two months. Deborah slipped away peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her mother, husband and all her children. She was born November 2, 1954 to Melvin Fred Meier and Juanita Evelyn Clarke Meier in Cincinnati, Ohio. She grew up with her brother Richard in Greenhills, Ohio and graduated from Greenhills High School in 1973.

Deborah graduated from Ohio University in 1977 having earned a degree in broadcast journalism. While a student she worked at the Public Broadcasting Service radio and TV stations, WOUB in Athens. She then landed a job at KRIS TV in Corpus Christi. During this time she met Darol Phillips who she would later marry. Though not yet married, they obtained jobs in the Kansas City area. Both were employed by TV stations, Deborah at WDAF TV and Darol at KCMO TV.

Deborah started attending a small Baptist church located in Kansas City, KS. As a child she attended the Lutheran Church with family, but she came to realize that she did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. She committed her life to Christ and was baptized at that small church.

Darol and Deborah were married in August 1979 and soon bought their first home in Overland Park. Son David was born in April 1981 and their only daughter, Rebecca, was born in May 1984. Benjamin followed in October 1987 and Daniel in February 1990. Deborah gave up employment to be a full-time mother. She volunteered in church and community. At Nall Avenue Baptist Church she was a leader in children's Bible study and mission programs, was Youth Department director, participated in Run For God and served on a variety of committees. She volunteered at her children's preschools, and in the public school system, including one term as president of the Shawnee Mission North High School PTA. She repeatedly judged forensics and debate competitions. In several roles the couple provided direction for local Cub Scout packs. Deborah did counseling in reference to earning Boy Scout merit badges.

In 1994 Deborah re-entered the workforce and worked in more than one position at KCTV Channel 5. Later she was employed by the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she worked in administrative positions on campus. She retired there in May 2020.

Deborah was a physical fitness enthusiast, and led a walking group during her time at UMKC. Such activity became an obsession. At the age of 54, she became a competitive runner. In total she ran 9 full marathons and 31 half-marathons; she was the pacer in 12 of these races. Her last competitive run was the Eisenhower Marathon in April 2022 in Abilene, Kansas. It is estimated that her career distance exceeded 9,000 miles wearing out at least 30 pairs of shoes.

Deborah was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Meier, in 2004 and grandson, Alexander Phillips, in 2018. She is survived by her husband Darol: her mother, Juanita, and brother, Richard (Pat) both of Ohio; children David of San Jose, daughter Rebecca of Olathe, son Benjamin (Kelsey) of Lenexa, and son Daniel (Felicia) of Olathe; as well as 7 dearly loved grandchildren, Melody, Melissa, Jeremiah, Micah, Caleb, Ava and Lucy; and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of Deborah's life will be held on Saturday March 30, 10 AM at Nall Avenue Baptist Church Prairie Village, Kansas.