John Phillips

The life of John David Phillips is one to be celebrated. He was a man whose heart, humor, and devotion to his family left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.

John was born on January 31, 1953, in Weaverville, California, to Frank Edward Phillips and Evelyn Naomi Cope. He spent his childhood in Hayfork, and Redding, California, surrounded by his siblings Judy, Nancy, and Alan, and the warmth of extended family. The Phillips family built more than houses together-they built memories, laughter, and a sense of belonging that would carry John throughout his life.

In high school, John met the love of his life, Lois Christine Ericson. Their story began in true John fashion-persistent, playful, and unforgettable. He passed her a two-page note with a "get-to-know-you" questionnaire, declaring boldly that he loved her and would someday marry her. Lois tried to dodge him at first, even switching seats in class to escape his attention. But John's charm-silver tooth and all-was hard to resist. She came around, and in 1973 they married, beginning a partnership that spanned more than five decades. Together, they raised four children: Angie, Davy, Gabe, and April. Family was John's pride and joy. He often reminded his children, "Stuff can be replaced. Family can't."

John joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1971, and his faith was a guiding principle in his life. He later served as an ordinance worker in the Medford Oregon Temple, a role that reflected his devotion to service and his quiet, steadfast spirituality.

Hard work defined John. For 37 years, he worked at Sierra Pacific Lumber Mill, where he earned the prestigious WWPA Master Lumberman Certificate-an honor held by only a select few in the industry. His knowledge of lumber, machinery, and quality control was the equivalent of higher learning, and he even invented processes to improve efficiency. He oversaw Shasta Lake Mill, the largest in the company, and was so well respected that other mills sought his expertise. And in true John fashion, his office displayed not humility, but humor-a shrine to himself, complete with a poster and Christmas lights.

But John was more than his work. He was a teacher. He taught his children how to swim, how to water ski, how to snow ski, how to fix cars, and how to work hard with integrity. Davy remembers his dad patiently explaining every step of car repairs until he felt capable of doing them on his own. John passed down the same love of learning and problem-solving that he had inherited from his own father.

He was also an adventurer. He loved fishing the Sacramento River in a boat that smoked so much it became legendary, riding motorcycles, flying remote controlled airplanes, camping, hunting, and thrill-seeking on roller coasters. His travels took him as far as Alaska, Japan, Indonesia, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico.

John had a great sense of humor and a generous spirit. He was competitive-sometimes bending the rules in games with his grandchildren-and always carried candy in his pocket, trading sweets for hugs. He was the kind of man who could fix a boat in the middle of the lake, whip up a backyard barbecue, or invent ideas years before their time. For years he dreamed up light-up shoes long before they were ever sold in stores, shaking his head when they finally appeared, half-amused and half-regretful.

Above all, John was a family man. He loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, and extended family fiercely. He measured his life not in accomplishments, though he had many, but in the love and laughter he shared. As he once told his kids after a wreck on a three-wheeler: "I can replace that. I can't replace you."

John lived with generosity, with humor, and with heart. His life was a reminder that while possessions fade, family and love endure. Today, as we honor his memory, may we carry forward his lessons: to work hard, to laugh often, to give generously, and to always put family first.

John is survived by his wife, Lois Phillips; children: daughter Angie Hughes and husband Clay Hughes, son Davy Phillips and wife Leigh Phillips, son Gabe Phillips and wife Suzanne Phillips, daughter April Oaks and husband Mike Oaks; 14 grandchildren: Brayden Hughes, Shaylee Mears and husband Ryan Mears, Tori White and husband Daeshaun White, Kylie Suttner and husband Cam Suttner, Paris Thomson and husband Gary Thomson, Colton Phillips and wife Lauren Phillips, Naomi Phillips, Carter Phillips, McKay Phillips, Noelle Phillips, Dallin Oaks, Gemma Oaks, Maia Oaks, Duke Oaks; 10 great-grandchildren: Owen Hughes, Jojo Hughes, Rio Mears, Ozzy Mears, Drae White, Deon White, Suede Suttner, Coast Suttner, Hawk Thomson, Leif Thomson; sister Judy Cosky and husband Harvey Cosky, sister Nancy Greer, brother Alan Phillips and wife Nanci Phillips; sister-in-law Karen Pace and husband David Pace, sister-in-law Wanda Butler and husband Wade Butler, brother-in-law Keith Ericson and wife Susan Ericson; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.