George Phillips

George was a strong man in many ways, he was phycially strong and worked very hard all of his life, he was strong in his faith and trusted his savior, no matter what life had in store, and the strength of his bond to his family was beyond measure. George was born in Jackson, Michigan on May 15, 1925, to George and Myrtle Phillips, he was the eldest of seven. George’s father was a hard working railroad man and taught him how to drive a spike and move very heavy railroad ties, or anything else a good railroad man should know. George was your normal young man of those times, looking for a gainful work and wondering about a world that included the likes of Hitler, and Mussolini and what it could mean to young men of a fighting age. One evening, while riding around town in his car with friends, which in that day was a common entertainment, George spotted a young lady by the name of Katherine Lutke walking down the street, and offered her a ride, she refused, until the following evening, that same pretty girl was walking with a friend and this time said yes to the ride, an adventure that would last over 55 years. George and Katherine had dated for almost a year when he went to serve our country in the US Army, he was sent overseas to Germany during WWII and upon his return, continued his courtship of Katherine. On July 26, 1947, at the home of her parents in Martin, George and Katherine where married, and a long and wonderful life together had begun. George and Katherine would have six children during their life together; this was a source of their greatest pride. He loved his family and had a great since responsibility for them; he was a protective father and an excellent provider. By today’s standards, George would be considered a workaholic, constantly in motion, working at the railroad or on one of the many other jobs that he would take, when George took on a task, he would dedicate himself to it, until it was complete. George had a tough exterior, but those who knew him best also knew his softer interior, he had a great love for his friends and a strong sense of compassion for them, if a coworker or member of his church family, was ill, he would be very concerned for their wellbeing. George and Katherine had a busy life, along with raising their own children, they cared for 26 foster children during a 9-year period and George was saddened when it was their time to go. George never had a lot of spare time, during his railroad years, but when he did, and after he retired in 1986, he would enjoy the outdoors, by hunting deer and turkey, fishing or working in the garden, during winter months he liked to bowl in a league. George was very active member of the Cooper Baptist Church, and cherished his time there. He was head usher at church, and was known to bring ties and jackets for the younger ushers, so he could show them how an usher should dress, George had an opinion about that and many other things, and those who knew him, probably knew what he thought, expressing himself was easy for George, it was his straightforward and honest approach to life. During his illness, George continued to display his great sense of humor, even during the most uncomfortable times, he loved to tease people, he loved to see people smile, when smiling must have been difficult for him.

When George was battling his illness, he had a great faith in his Lord and Savior, he and Katherine’s belief in the will of God was a great comfort to them, and lead George to lay aside his tough exterior and express his feelings in loving and tender tones, to the many friends and family who waited at his bedside. During his life George taught many people, many things, how to work, how to love, how to dedicate oneself to the principals of living well, and by his example of courage, kindness and dignity, he showed us how to die George went to be with his Lord on Monday, May 26, 2003, at his home, in the presence of his beloved, Katherine. George leaves a loving and grateful family, his daughters Georgia (Alfred) Dietzel of Nashville, MI, Lucy (John) Cox of Ocean Springs, MS, sons, Gary (Linda) Phillips of Three Rivers, Larry (Julie) Phillips of Kalamazoo, Rick Phillips and Jim (Lorrie) Phillips of Paw Paw. Also surviving are his sisters, Mary Brown of Kalamazoo and Eva (Jim) Duncan of Gobles, brothers, Clyde (Margaret) Phillips of Kalamazoo, and Bob (Jan) Phillips of Parchment, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and a great many friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday May 29, 2003, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, and Gren Funeral Homes, Plainwell Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, May 30, 2003, at the Cooper Baptist Church at 2:00 PM, military honors will be provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, at West Cooper Cemetery. Friends are invited to leave a memory for the family, or in lieu flowers, make a memorial contribution to the Cooper Baptist Church.