Thomas Michael Phillips M.D.

1940 - 2022

Thomas Michael Phillips, MD

November 9, 1940 - June 24, 2022

Thomas Michael "Tom" Phillips, MD, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022, at the age of 81.

Tom was born in Granite City, Ill. in 1940, the third of four children of John and Ruth Phillips. Tom earned his bachelor's degree in Philosophy and his Medical Doctorate degree from Georgetown University. There he met his beloved wife, Alice (Raley) Phillips, to whom he was delightfully married for 58 years.

After graduating with his medical degree from Georgetown, they moved to St. Louis, where Tom completed his internal medicine residency program at Washington University. Tom and Alice soon after moved to Muskogee, Okla. where they continued to grow their beautiful family. Ultimately, they settled in Roanoke, Va. in 1980, where Tom shifted into a primary role as an Emergency Room physician at Lewis-Gale Medical Center. Tom and Alice had six children together, forming a loving and supportive family.

In 2003 Tom was the recipient of a heart transplant that provided family and friends with nearly 20 more years of his presence.

Tom especially loved regular family summer vacations together that continued until recent years (beach time and chess competitions were always on the schedule). Tom was a frequent walker with his faithful companion, Pepper, and he loved to greet his neighbors on the daily walks. Tom had a great, and uniquely goofy, sense of humor and he enjoyed leaving everyone with a smile.

Tom was preceded in death by his brother, John Phillips, and by his oldest son, Michael Phillips, who is survived by his wife, Donna. Tom is survived by his adored wife, Alice; his children, Rebecca (Doug Cameron), David (Carey), Chris (Kelly), Kathleen (Ben McKeever), and Tony (Liz); fourteen grandchildren, Patrick, Sam, Melissa, Emma, Max, Olivia, Jack, Aidan, Cole, Nick, Ken, Cecilia, Ava, and Quinn; his brother, Jim Phillips (Wendy); and his sister, Mary (Jack Bolster).

A visitation for Tom will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Oakey's South Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 12 noon on Friday, July 1, 2022, at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate). Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel, Roanoke, Va., (540) 989-3131.