Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Guthrie Phillips, Jr., 83, of Nacogdoches, passed away Friday, August 21, 2009 in Nacogdoches. Funeral services are planned for 11:00 AM Monday, August 24, 2009 at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor, Justin Beadles of Grace Bible Church, officiating; visitation with the family will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM service time. Graveside service and burial, with a military flag presentation, for Kenneth will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in Capital Memorial Park, Pflugerville, Texas with Alex Kelley officiating.
Kenneth was born in Temple, Texas on June 26, 1926, the son of the late Kenneth Guthrie and Margaret (Whiting) Phillips. He served in the U.S. Navy as a CM3 in WW II and in the U.S. Army Air Force as a Lt. Col. in the Korea/Vietnam conflict, then retired as Lieutenant Colonel USAF Transport Officer with the United States Air Force. During his military service Kenneth received numerous commendations, medals and ribbons. In 1952, he married Mary Jane Moreland of San Antonio. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #401 Knob Creek, Temple, Texas; and was a Disabled American Veterans Life Member.
Kenneth is survived by a son, Ken Phillips and wife, Melinda of Sugarland, Texas; two daughters, Jan Ward and husband, James of Nacogdoches, Kathleen Kelley and husband, Alex of Denton, Texas; 8 grandchildren: Zachary Phillips, Conner Phillips, Kendra Phillips, Kristin Mayfield and husband, Davis, Kaylan Laird and husband, Kyle, Jenna Ward, Erich Kelley and wife, Jessica, Kate Kelley and 1 great grandson, Brant Laird. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret Gerloff and husband, Don of Islamorada, Florida and a brother, David Phillips of Little River, Texas; 4 nephews and 1 niece.
In addition to his parents, Kenneth and Margaret; he was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Mary Jane Phillips.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Bible Church, 2211 Raguet St., Nacogdoches, Texas 75965 or the American Cancer Society, 3623 Buckingham, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965.
Source: The Daily Sentinel, Nacogdoches, Texas, Saturday, 22 August 2009
