James Leon Phillips

James "Leon" Phillips - known lovingly as Leon and affectionately as "Pa" by his grandchildren and many others - passed away peacefully in Fresno, California, on March 21, 2025, at the age of 90.
Leon was born on November 2, 1934, in Fresno, California, to Homer Phillips and Vida Daniels. Though he was an only child, he was raised as part of a large family alongside six aunts and uncles, who were like siblings to him.
It was love at first sight for Leon and Roberta. On their first date-when he was 17 and she was 13-he told her, "I'm going to marry you someday!" He kept that promise, and on November 5, 1954, they were married. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Leon lived an extraordinary and beautiful life, maintaining his positive attitude even during the most challenging times throughout his 90 years. His life was rich with love, food, music, entrepreneurial adventures, world travel, road trips, and decades of family memories. He was a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, adoring great grandfather, and treasured friend.
Leon was a man of remarkable character - kind, loving, gentle, yet headstrong and determined, creative, wise, and witty. He always had a rhyme, limerick, or joke to share with family, friends, or people he had just met. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix and nearly anything he couldn't find a solution to. With a twinkle in his crystal blue eyes, he would say, "All you have to do is turn on your thinking switch and you will figure it out." He never stopped figuring things out, tinkering with and fixing things, creating new recipes, inventing whatever items he needed but couldn't find in a store, or giving of his time, love, money, and friendship to anyone who needed it. His incredible determination, strength of heart, courage, and dedication to his family and wife kept him going, always making the best of any situation.
Coming from a musical family, he loved to sing, play the organ, guitar, and harmonica, and passed that love of music on to his family. He was a talented cook, known for his famous garlic popcorn, smoked tri-tip, smoked ribs, and onion rings. Pa's meals were created with love and were a treasured experience. He would spend hours preparing the meat and then sitting by the smoker to make sure it was done to perfection.
He loved a good round of golf or a day of fishing. Every year he looked forward to sitting in his box seats, watching the horse races at the Big Fresno Fair. He even had a racehorse named after him: "Uncle Leon." Some of his favorite places to visit were Yosemite, where he and Roberta spent their honeymoon, and Catalina Island, where many family vacations took place. He also loved going on cruises-especially if they had a good seafood buffet.
Leon's hands-on nature and creative mind showed up in every role he took on. His life was full of varied and interesting jobs that gave him a wealth of experience. He started working in the cotton fields with his mom at the age of 4, and later worked in her snow cone truck as well. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1960. During the time he worked at National Aviation, he was honored to help build an airplane that is now displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.
If one opportunity didn't suit him, he had no problem finding or creating another. With a young wife and 3-month-old baby at home, he had the courage to walk out of a job where he was being mistreated and start his own business. This was the beginning of Phillips RV Center, which he owned and operated for over 40 years. His love of food led to the creation of Arthur's Concessions and Catering, with his daughter Lynn. His secret recipes fed the crowds at Kings Speedway as well as private catering events. He and his wife Roberta shared a love for health and wellness and in 1981 they started building a business with Sunrider International-a journey that took them around the world. They have been loyal and dedicated to their Sunrider business and lifestyle for over 43 years.
Above all else, family was everything to Leon. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, creativity, music, a deep devotion to his family, who adored him, and stories that will be told for generations. His was a life well lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Vida Phillips; all six of his aunts and uncles who were like siblings to him; and his beloved fur babies, Prince and Princeton.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Roberta Phillips, his devoted daughter Lynn Arthur Grabowski and her husband Robert Grabowski of Fresno, CA; and his cherished grandchildren: Alanna Arthur-Chee and her husband Steve Chee of West Los Angeles, CA; Michelle Arthur-Cowan and husband Jared Cowan of Sherman Oaks, CA; and Chelsea Langford and husband Erin Langford of Fontana, CA. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Cowan, Capri Langford, Stanley Langford, Cambell Langford, and Baby Langford, expected later this year.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who were lucky enough to know him. Leon's legacy of love, family, and determination will live on through the generations. And as he would often say, with a big grin, whenever parting ways, "I'll see you later. I'm so glad you got to see me." And we are so grateful we got to see him, know him, and love him. You will forever be with us and in our hearts. We love you, Pa!
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being set up in Leon's memory. Please check back for details.