Gail Lea Phillis Jr.

SALEM - Gail Lea Phillis, Jr.,74, passed away peacefully in his life-long home on Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was born on February 3, 1951, at the old Central Clinic on Second Street in Salem, to the late Gail and Barbara (McFadden) Phillis of Salem.
Gail attended United Local Elementary. Once older, he worked the family farm before going to work for Stamp Feed in Salem, where he rode along to the local farms to process their grain. He continued working with his dad and brothers at the family businesses of Phillis Trucking and Phillis Ford for many years. Gail was extremely meticulous, and he could take a tractor apart and rebuild it without fail. After the passing of his parents, with whom he resided with all his life, he attended EDI Central in Lisbon and worked making Beaver Creek Candles for them. Gail has always taken great pride in the work he's done.
On any given day, you could find Gail sitting on his back porch watching over the fields looking for deer. Neighbors would often see him zooming around on his 4-wheeler over the family farm and he was always quick to offer a wave to anyone who beeped while he was out mowing. Gail had many talents, and while his specialty was knitting hats, which he would make and donate to any cause, any craft he tried always came out beautiful. He was known to be a collector of anything and everything, and he especially loved watches. Every time you'd talk to him, he'd have a different face on his band to show you. Gail was known as the go-to guy anytime anyone had an issue with their clock or watch, and he'd have it fixed up in no time.
Gail was the oldest and is survived by all his siblings; brothers, Richard of Lake Alfred, FL, Michael (Lynn) of Salem, Jerald (Kim) of New Waterford and Scott (Peggy) of Lisbon. He also had two sisters; Diana (Rorie) Reiter and Janet (Edward) DiBaggio, both of Salem.
His many nieces and nephews always brought out the ornery side of their uncle; giving them both hours of laughs and entertainment. They will certainly all miss the funny smiles he'd give them.
Gail was a baptized Christian and a life-long member at Phillips Christian Church in Salem. Family and friends will be received from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Stark Memorial Funeral Home, 1014 E. State St., Salem, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 10, 2025, with Allen Jolly, Minister, from PCC officiating. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery.
The family also wants to especially thank Dr. Lunne for taking such good care of our brother all his life.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to Gail's church's 'Phillis Memorial Fund,' 35459 Salem Grange Rd., Salem, OH 44460.
To view Gail's obituary and send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com
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