Kenneth Ray Phillips

Kenneth Ray Phillips went to be with Jesus on Sunday, June 19, 2016, Father's Day, after a short battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 10:30 am at the Noonday Baptist Church, Texas Highway 155 South, Tyler.

Ken was born in Iola on Nov. 21, 1939, to Leach and Estalena Adams Phillips. He grew up in a rural area near Iola and Bedias in Central Texas. After attending Palestine High School, he then served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. When he returned, he built a career in heating and air conditioning, and automobile repair and body work. Over the years, he worked for two school districts, providing maintenance for their facilities. On June 2, 1973, in Dallas, he married Patsy Jeanne Ware and began a marriage that would last over 43 years until his passing.

He attended Green Acres Baptist Church for over 30 years and was a member of the Celebration Sunday School Class. He enjoyed mission trips to Mexico with his family and was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, Corvettes of Tyler, and the "unofficial" Noonday Blue Store Coffee Bunch. Ken's hobbies included motorcycle and automobile repair and body work, where he spent many happy hours in his shop working on cars for himself and friends in need. He loved gardening, and was known for his Noonday onions, melons and tomatoes. Ken never met a stranger and never said "no" to anyone who needed help. He would give you the boots off of his feet if you needed it, and was always helping others in various capacities. Over the years he controlled gophers, helped people find a home, brokered vehicle purchases, helped with home repairs and freely shared his opinion and advice (whether needed or not). He was beloved by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother, Carl, and younger sister, Marlene.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy Ware Phillips; and son and daughter-in-law, Lt. Col. William W. and Jessica Phillips; and their three children, Megan, Andrew and Anna Cate. He is also survived by his sister, Ruby Graves, of Houston; and half sisters, Mary Lou Kernes and Brenda Hicks, of Quitman; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken donated his body to UT Southwestern for medical research honoring the five doctors in his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory, to the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Centrepoint Ministries (http://www.centrepoint.cc) of Tyler.