Earl L. Phoenix

1934 - 2025

Earl L. Phoenix

September 5, 1934 - September 8, 2025

Modesto, California - Earl passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa CA after a wonderful day at the coast, eating hamburgers, watching the Giants and celebrating his birthday with chocolate cake and ice cream. He was born in Modesto, CA, one of three children to Carl and Laverna Phoenix. He was raised on a chicken and almond ranch in the outskirts of Modesto, eventually to be marked with a street sign of Phoenix Ave. He attended Modesto High School, and Modesto JC where he met his future wife Nancy Kint, a marriage of 57 years. After the couple married they lived in Modesto, Stockton, Chico, Ventura and finally settled in Santa Rosa for 40 years.

After spending two years in the Army in California and Washington state, Earl began a career with Bank of America in the Trust Department where he spent 30 years, including getting a law degree. After his career as a Trust Officer, he helped establish a new profession of Private Professional Fiduciaries, being active in the organization that eventually became the Professional Fiduciary Association of California. After entering semi-retirement, Earl and Nancy enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends.

Earl is survived by his son Gerald D Phoenix of Sebastopol, 3 granddaughters, Heather Hettich, Adrianna Wiseman (Matt), and Suzanne Hettich, one grandson Joseph Hettich, and his sister Marian Pasternack. He was predeceased by his wife Nancy Kint Phoenix, his daughter Victoria (Phoenix) Hettich, his son-in-law Herbert Hettich, and his sister Lois Latimer. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of wonderful friends and extended family.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at a graveside ceremony at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, Stanislaus County, CA, on Tuesday, September 16th at 12:30pm.