Sidney Don Phillips

Sidney Donald Phillips

 April 11, 1927 - May 10, 2025 

Don was born in Ashdown, Arkansas to Sid and Gussie Phillips. 

He graduated from Ashdown, Arkansas High School, then attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. 

Don served in the Navy during WWII aboard the U.S.S. Ray K. Edwards and after his time in the Navy, returned to his education attended the University of Ozarks College of Pharmacy, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. 

He owned and operated two pharmacies in Arkadelphia, Arkansas for 26 years before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas to become the Director of Pharmacy Services and Drug Control at the Arkansas Department of Health where he served for 20 years. 

His professional achievements include being chosen the 1971 Arkansas Pharmacist Associations “Pharmacist of the Year” award. He also served as President of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy; and a member of the Arkansas State Board of Health. 

Don served as Chairmen of the International Relations Committee of the American Pharmaceutical Association where he attended and presented papers at Pharmacy meetings all over the world. He was an associate professor of clinical practice at the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy. 

Don was an avid traveler, photographer, as well as a painter with awards for both. Don was also an avid audiophile, loving blues and jazz. Don was a lifelong Rotarian and was past District Governor of Rotary International and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a long-time member of the West Little Rock Rotary Club. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty, both his parents and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Phillips. Survivors include his four daughters, Bitsy Lewallen and her husband Terry of Grand Junction, Colorado; Jennifer Totten and her husband Ken of St Louis, Mo, Jan Paulsen and her husband John Les of Monterey, California; and Julia Phillips of Aspen Colorado; Grandsons, Christopher (wife Athena) Lewallen of Conway, Arkansas and Matthew Lewallen of Grand Junction, Colorado; Nephews include Don (wife Toni) and Dana (wife Tedie) Andries of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Nieces Lana Turner of Daisy, Arkansas and Linda Floyd of Rochester New York, in addition to cousins and relatives throughout Texas and Arkansas. 

A visitation for Don will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home in the Ruggles Wilcox Chapel on Friday, May 23, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia.

Arrangements by Smith Family Funeral Home-Ruggles Wilcox Chapel, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. www.smithfamilycares.com