John Gurley Phillips

JOHN GURLEY PHILLIPS passed away on September 21, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the age of 94. Born in Camden, Arkansas on September 8, 1922, Mr. Phillips became a lifelong resident of New Orleans after visiting the city during Mardi Gras in 1948, the year he would begin a long and highly successful business career, and the start of outstanding civic and community work for the city he came to love.

John Phillips proudly served in World War II as pilot of a B-24 Liberator on 32 combat missions in the 467th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force flying out of Rackheath, England. After the war, he continued his education on the G.I. Bill, receiving his B.S. degree from the University of Arkansas in 1948. That same year, Mr. Phillips was hired by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co. as a staff accountant until he joined The Louisiana Land and Exploration Company in 1951, becoming Chief Executive Officer of LL&E in 1972 and retiring as Chairman of the Board in 1984. LL&E experienced exceptional growth during his tenure.

Mr. Phillips was Chairman of the Tulane Board of Administrators from 1978-1983 and under his guidance Tulane ended 25 years of deficits and began rebuilding its endowment. He remained an emeritus director of the university and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1993. The Evelyn and John G. Phillips Distinguished Chair in Mathematics was endowed in 1992, and The Pierrette Phillips and John G. Phillips Professorship in Orthopaedics will be established later this year. Mr. Phillips was also a board member of The Bank of New York, The Whitney National Bank, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Travelers Corporation, Allis-Chalmers, and Energy Partners, Ltd. He was active in the New Orleans community, primarily with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as President and member of the Executive Council and the United Way as 1976 Campaign Chairman and President in 1977. In recognition of his civic and community accomplishments, Mr. Phillips was honored to reign as Rex, King of Carnival in 1983.

A devoted family man, a true gentleman, and an avid golfer, Mr. Phillips delighted in inviting friends and family for a round of golf at Augusta National Golf Club, where he was a member for over 30 years, a tradition that continued well into his 80’s. He was also a member of New Orleans Country Club, the Pickwick Club, and several carnival organizations. He was a past president of the Boston Club and Wildcat Cliffs Country Club in Highlands, North Carolina, where he resided during the summer season. He greatly enjoyed attending Saints games with his family as a charter season ticket holder.

Mr. Phillips is preceded in death by his parents, John Gurley Phillips, Sr. and Sadie Thalia Phillips, his sister Lucy Phillips Currie and his wife of 49 years, Evelyn Richards Phillips. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Pierrette Manny Phillips, his two daughters, Fran (J. Philip) Ordoyne and Cherry Phillips, and by his stepchildren and stepgrandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Saturday, October 1, 2016. Visitation is from 9 am-11 am, followed by the service at 11 am. A graveside ceremony will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America Southeast Louisiana Council, 4200 S. I- 10 Service Rd., Suite 101, Metairie, LA 70001 or The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.