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Jerry Philpott Obituary
Jerry Philpott
March 8, 1937 - June 19, 2023
MESA, Arizona - Jerry was born March 8, 1937, in Springfield, IL, to Les and Jean Philpot.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, who he married November 11, 1983 in Bloomington, IL. He is also survived by three daughters: Elizabeth Wilmeth (Lee), Marcia Philpott, Amy LaMarra Sawyer (Will); and three grandchildren: Grace Wilmeth, Emma Wilmeth and Woods Sawyer. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Philpott.
Jerry graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 1959, where he was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Over the years, he kept his fraternity brothers in touch with each other and encouraged the younger brothers to do the same.
He was an active alum receiving IWU's Loyalty Award in 2010, and a citation for Distinguished and Exceptional Service from Phi Gamma Delta National in 2010.
Jerry was a United States Army veteran.
In 1999, Jerry retired from State Farm as Life Company Manager, after 45 years of service.
He was passionate about the game of golf and was happy to find a home on a golf course when he and Kathy moved to Mesa, AZ, in 2009. For twenty years he worked security at the Northern Trust Open, LA Open and Genesis Invitational Tournaments in LA.
In December 2021 he hit his fourth hole-in-one at age 84.
He was a lifelong Chicago Bear's fan, an honorary Texas Longhorn and he passed along his love of all things football to his daughters.
His life was well lived and he will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him.
There will be a Memorial Service on July 1, 2023, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Illinois Wesleyan Titan Athletic Fund,
Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ, or The ARC.org for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Bloomington, IL.
Mountain View Funeral Home, Mesa, AZ, is in charge of arrangements and cremation rites have been accorded.
Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Philpott
Chuck Holley
December 18, 2024
JERRY WAS A GREAT FRIEND ,a CRHISTIAN ,LOVED THE USA ,AND LOVED BEING WITH HIS FRIENDS. AS A GROUP OF FORMER BLOOMINTON PEOPLE , WE WOULD GET TOGETHER FOR COFFEE AND REMINESE THE GOOD OLE DAYS , SEE YOU SOON JERRY ,CHUCK HOLLEY GBY
Harry L. Pell
June 16, 2024
We were friends in high school and college and we are frat bothers! Potts (his friends called him that) was a great friend and a great person. He is still missed!
Harry L. Pell
Greg Gardner
June 29, 2023
The brothers at one of IWU Connections.
Coe and Greg Gardner
June 29, 2023
Jer´s passing has left us with many fond memories dating back to our freshman year at Illinois Wesleyan. Greg met Jerry when he went through fraternity rush and later became a Figi brother. We have remained close friends attending fraternity and Wesleyan events. Jerry made sure everyone of the brothers was invited to their home Friday night before Homecoming on Saturday. This did not change when we moved to Carefree, Arizona and Kathy and Jerry moved to Mesa. The party was moved to our home on Saturday night and the Connection on Sunday. At one of the Phi Gam Saturday night party, a huge owl flew into the tree by our patio and spent the evening. Greg will miss the weekly phone messages as nothing passed by them that happened at State Farm, IWU, or with our families. Jerry was Greg´s oldest closest friend. Greg and Coe Gardner
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Roger and Delores Colton
June 28, 2023
We always felt up to date upon an unexpected phone call or email from Jerry re our Phi Gamma Delta mutual friends and news of Ill. Wesleyan Univ. He will be truly missed. He was certainly knowledgable and current. A joy to be with and to have known Our sincere condolences to the family.
Mary Lou Allman
June 27, 2023
Fond memories of Jerry from years ago at State Farm. Peace and sympathy to Kathy and family. God bless.
Therese Cwick
June 27, 2023
Kathy, so sorry to hear about Jerry. We sure had some good times back in the `80s and the State Farm days. Please keep me posted about the Bloomington Celebration of Life. May all your memories comfort you at this time.
Penny Schneider
June 26, 2023
I never met Jerry, but it was enough for me to know that he must have been a stellar person if my friend, Kathy Lund, married him. I will hold their whole family in my prayers for strength & comfort.
With much love.
Tami
June 25, 2023
My father enjoyed your friendship, especially talking sports.
Tami Shierry Laugharn
Joy Ballard
June 25, 2023
I was Kathy's bridesmaid when she and Jerry were married. They mean so much to so many. Prays go out to everyone that knew and loved Jerry.
Chuck Holley
June 25, 2023
GBY Jerry ,you have been a great friend both in Bloomington and Arizona ,blessings to your family.
Peggy Smith
June 25, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Jerry´s Saturday tee time at EPGC was in front of 3 friends and I. Every Saturday he had a joke for us girls. He was a great guy and we missed him when he moved to AZ.
Bill Kerth
June 25, 2023
So many memories.
From my college days when he was our "House Father" at the FIJI House after the House Mom quit. To teaching us about Birdie Shots at his home course. I will think about him with every birdie.
He will be greatly missed by me and so many others. He was such a kind and generous man.
My deepest sympathies to you and the family. I am so sorry I won´t be able to be at his memorial.
Roger N Cavitt
June 25, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dori Guenther
June 23, 2023
Kathy I am so sorry about Jerry he was such a GREAT GUY I always looked forward to seeing him at the thrift shop and then at our dinners! Now he is at peace and with our Lord and Savior no more pain and no more suffering. I am so sorry I can´t go to his celebration of life I will be in Oklahoma I will be there in spirit and praying for th family! My deepest condolences. We will have to go to dinner when I get back.
Love Dori Guenther
Harry L. Pell
June 23, 2023
Jerry I knew as Potts ! We went to high school and college together and Frat bothers . He was a great guy and Phi Gam brother . He will be missed as he always would keep us high school and IWU friends up to date on what was happening with us all. Thanks friend!
Harry L. Pell
John Ramsey
June 23, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with Kathy and Jerry´s family. A true friend who will be greatly missed!
Amy Arnold
June 22, 2023
I´ll always remember how generous and loving he was, and how proud I was to feel like "one of his girls" every time he came to visit my best friend & roommate Marcia and her sister Liz during our years at UT. He was and continues to be a role model to me for parenthood - and I know he´s still smiling down on all "his kids" he collected along the way. Go Horns, Jerry!
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