John Joseph Clark Phipps

The best uncle in the world. Funny, kind, wise, generous, thoughtful. I love you, Uncle John.

Dear Phipps Family & Friends,

We are blessed to have come to know John Joseph Clark Phipps during his short journey on this Earth. We extend our heart felt condolences, especially to his Mother Ivy "Anita" who has had to endure the immeasurable pain of losing a spouse, and now several children. God bless you all in this time of sorrow, while we also celebrate his special life led and extensive contributions to this world. We feel confident that our Lord embraced him quickly, and pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Love Always,
Brian, Shirley & Matt
The McGarrity's

Memories of John Phipps from Kerry (Erickson) Peterson

I met John at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho in January of 1981. We grew to be close friends, and that friendship lasted over 44 years. John later became friends with my husband Matthew and my children, Jordan, Allison, and Megan. He introduced us to his wife Lynn, when Sadie was a baby. We had some wonderful times over the years; John would bring Sadie to our home in the country for the weekend. One year they went on a camping/boating trip with us and some other friends. I could pretty much write a book of memories, but I will pick one or two that will make me smile whenever I recall them. One funny coincidence. Years ago, I was helping John do some family history and we found out that my husband and John were 3rd cousins. Their great grandparents were brother and sister (Petersen, on his mother´s side).
At college, John had a roommate, who was a worrier, and John decided to play a joke on his roommate and take stuff from their apartment and stash it at my place, then he went to class. I got home and found my living room full of extra things, with the closed curtains with a note that said to keep the curtains closed, he would explain later. Unfortunately, before John got home from class the police were involved; they had written a report on the theft. He had to go down to the station and tell them what he had done. I am pretty sure his roommate never knew the real story; he just thought their stuff got recovered from the police!
We had not been in touch for a couple years and he contacted me and said he moved back to Salt Lake. I found out he had recently remarried, and he had a cancer diagnosis, and was going through treatment. We spoke on the phone from time to time, and I saw him last year when I was visiting there. I got a nice letter from him this year, telling me the cancer had returned, and he had less than a year. He also said he had peace with his situation and that he would see me again in the next life. I had been trying to call him for a while before he passed and was unable to get a hold of him. He will always be my dear friend. Until we meet again John. Always, Kerry