Phyllis Harkema Fugate

Phyllis was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 26, 1927 and passed away peacefully at her home in Dallas on May 8, 2025. She was raised in Whitehall Michigan on White Lake, was Valedictorian of her graduating high school class as well as excelling in sports. She was captain of her basketball team and an avid golfer. Phyllis got her degree from Michigan State and moved to Los Angeles to get her Physical Therapy certification from USC. She stayed in California working with polio patients during the epidemic which occurred at that time. She met her husband, Neale Fugate in California and they got married February 23, 1951. Phyllis and Neale lived in Whittier California, Vancouver Canada, and Coatzacoalcos, Mexico before settling in Dallas where they built their home. They had 5 daughters which kept Phyllis very busy, but she was able to make time for golf, tennis, and playing her recorder music. She worked hard to perfect her culinary talents and became quite a gourmet cook. Phyllis is survived by her daughters Patricia Fugate, Kathleen Fontenot, Barbara Spires, Jennifer Roush and Rebecca Fugate. She has 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren with one more on the way. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 1-4pm at the Filter Building @ White Rock Lake (2810 White Rock Rd, Dallas, TX 75214).