Reuben Ernest Phillips, 90, peacefully passed away on Tuesday July 24, 2012, after a year-long illness. Reuben was born on May 29, 1922, in Gladewater, where he grew up and graduated from Gladewater High School.
He enlisted in the United States Navy at the beginning of World War II to serve his beloved country, escorting aircraft carriers in the South Pacific as a torpedo man on the destroyer USS Gridley DD-380. In 1981 he retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve after 35 years of service.
Reuben retired from BF Goodrich Co. after 33 years, then again from The University of Texas at Tyler after an additional 10 years of service.
Reuben was affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas, Gladewater Lodge 852. He was also a dedicated member of the Sharon Temple Shriner's Lodge in Tyler.
Mr. Phillips was a Christian and attended Southern Oaks Baptist Church in Tyler, until his health declined.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Reuel Phillips; mother, Katie Bell Phillips; brother, Ben Phillips; and son, Joel Phillips.
He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Kassed; son, Tommy Phillips and wife Cyndi; daughter, Dee Ann Smith and husband Gary; grandchildren, Stacey Kirkpatrick and husband Brian Stephens, Kristi McCarty and husband Brent, Jill Phillips, Jay Phillips and wife Michelle; great-grandchildren, Grant McCarty, Andrew McCarty, Parker Phillips, Olivia Stephens, Haley and Hampton Phillips.
Visitation will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home Thursday, July 26, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside services are to be held on Friday, July 27, 2012, at 10 a.m. in Gladewater Memorial Cemetery.
Source: Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas, Thursday, July 26, 2012
