Larry Edgar Phillips

FULLERTON-Larry Edgar Phillips, 91, of Fullerton, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Valley View Assisted Living in Fullerton.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton with Pastor Bruce Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at Fullerton Cemetery with military honors by the Fullerton American Legion Post #151 and the United States Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is serving the family.
Larry was born on August 1, 1934, to Edgar and Ethel (Moore) Phillips at their home in Fullerton. He graduated from Fullerton High School in 1952 and attended college in Kearney for one year, studying veterinary science before enlisting in the United States Navy. Throughout his Navy career, Larry was stationed across the country including in Washington, Virginia, Hawaii, California, and Nebraska, and was deployed overseas many times, serving during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. After 20 years of dedicated service, he retired from the Navy in November 1974.
Following his military career, Larry studied horticulture for one year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During that time, he started a hobby greenhouse in Fullerton next to the football field, a passion that grew into a thriving business, Fancy Plants, on Pleasant Valley Road in Fullerton. He retired in 2012 and sold the business to his daughter. In 1989, Larry became a licensed pastor and ministered at the Belgrade, Primrose, and Cedar Rapids United Methodist Churches, serving faithfully until his health began to decline.
While stationed in Washington, Larry met Jean Julesberg at a Navy picnic on July 4, 1957. They were married on August 11, 1957, in Rolling Bay, WA, and were blessed with four children: Bruce, Lisa, Linda, and Jennel. Jean passed away in 2000. A year later, Larry reconnected with a former classmate, Glenrose (Luedtke) Moeller, and they were married in Fullerton in 2001. Glenrose passed away just one week before Larry.
Larry loved hunting, fishing, and traveling. He enjoyed camping throughout the United States with Jean and later with Glenrose, even venturing as far as Alaska. Larry made friends wherever he went and received Christmas cards from people he met camping all over the United States. No matter where he traveled, he always made sure to be back in time for Husker football. He also devoted many years to crafting wooden military plaques for veterans. Larry was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years and faithfully served on the local honor guard. He was also a member of the Fullerton United Methodist Church, later the Fullerton Community Church, as well as the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and Eastern Star. Of all his accomplishments, Larry cherished time with his family most of all. He never missed an opportunity to be with those he loved.
Larry is survived by his children, Bruce (Laurie) Phillips of Neligh, Linda (Walt) Brock of Fullerton, and Jennel (Tracy DeMary) Steele of Fullerton; 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Jean and Glenrose; daughter, Lisa; his parents; and sister, Zella Bohlke