Till we meet again, Daddy

Obituary

Kevin Dee Phillips, 61, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2019, in his home in Morgan, Utah, from complication of Pulmonary fibrosis. He was born May 18, 1958, in Ogden, Utah, to Vince Flint Phillips and Ruth Eufrashia Keller. As the youngest of six lively children, he loved growing up in rural Kaysville, Utah. Kevin excelled in sports and friendship. In 1976 he graduated from high school, always proud to be a Davis Dart.  Kevin often remembered these experiences with great fondness and pride, drawing on the lessons of teamwork, hard work, dependability, and cooperation to make him successful throughout his life. He treasured the memories of winning State Championships in football, wrestling, track, drama and choir. From 1979 to 1981, he served in the Illinois Chicago Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints.

As a teenager, he was trained in the art of being a successful grocer, by Dick Bowman (Bowman’s Market). After his mission, Kevin followed his friend, Roger Terry to Southern Utah, to help Roger open his first independent grocery store in Monticello, Utah. He married Mary Jane Young Rose April 16, 1982 and became an “instant dad” to her two children, Royal H. Rose and Karen Anne Rose. Then in 1984, Roger Terry and Kevin opened a thriving independent grocery store in Morgan Utah (Roger’s Foods). Kevin was a “people person.” Working in the grocery store Kevin, got to know almost everyone in town. He had a gift for being friendly and remembered everyone’s name, even years later after retiring because of poor health.

Kevin and Mary Jane were sealed in the Ogden Temple in 1985. Kevin was an active member of the LDS church throughout his life. He served as a Nursery leader, Sunday School teacher, Family History instructor, Young Men President, Ward Chorister and High Councilman. He brought enthusiasm to all of his callings, however, he really shined in Boy Scouting! He was awarded The Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth in 2012. Nothing could have made him happier.

Kevin is proceeded in death by his parents and siblings, Thomas Allen Phillips, Marshall Scott Phillips and Colleen Sue Scothern.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Phillips and his daughters, Audrey Ruth Cornelius (Dustin), Jennifer LeAnn Baldwin(Nathan) and Elizabeth Sue Barra(Thomas) and his step-son, Royal Harlan Rose(Loretta Perucca Rose) and step-daughter, Karen Ann Rose Nelson(Brandon). He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. Words cannot fully express the gratitude we feel for the love and friendship given to us by our friends and neighbors throughout the years.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at 11:00 AM in the Porterville Chapel, 2700 S Morgan Valley Drive, Morgan, UT 84050.  Viewing prior to services from 9:00 to 10:45 AM

Burial following services in the South Morgan Cemetery

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Memorial Talk written and given by daughter Audrey Ruth Phillips Cornelius at the funeral service for Kevin Dee Phillips on Saturday, November 9, 2019.

Kevin Dee Phillips

A Life Sketch

May 18, 1958 – November 5, 2019

This world is full of imperfect people and Kevin was no exception, but he has some pretty amazing strengths too. It is through his strengths that he has strengthened us, leaving us a legacy of laughter, love and family.

Kevin was born May 18, 1958, in Ogden, Utah, to Vince Flint Phillips and Ruth Eufrashia Keller. As the youngest of six lively children, he loved growing up in rural Kaysville, Utah. He was never at a loss for playmates with big brothers and sisters, Thomas, Marshal, Sally, Colleen, and Lana. Kevin excelled in sports and friendship. He was definitely a good “people person.” He was always proud of his high school achievements in winning State Championships in football, wrestling, track, drama, and choir. In 1976 he graduated from high school, always proud to be a Davis Dart. Kevin often remembered his high school years with great fondness and pride.

Kevin had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. From 1979 to 1981 he served in the Illinois, Chicago Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was proud of his efforts to come closer to his Savior, Jesus Christ, and wanted to share that joy with others. He had a strong testimony of repentance and of the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Kevin had a strong work ethic. As a teenager he was trained in the art of being a successful grocer, by Dick Bowman (Bowman’s Market). After his mission, Kevin followed his friend, Roger Terry, to Southern Utah, to help Roger open his first independent grocery store in Monticello, Utah. Then, in 184 Roger Terry and Kevin opened a thriving independent grocery store in Morgan, Utah (Roger’s Foods).

Kevin had a great sense of humor, being the rare person who could poke fun at himself and laugh at the indignities that life threw his way, sometimes at a startlingly frequent pace. He loved to laugh. You would be hard pressed to find a picture of him where you can’t find the joyful laughter bubbling through his smile. He loved life, he loved people, and he loved adventure. He loved to travel and to learn about new places and people. He loved to reach out his hand in friendship and good humor to bright the days of others, making cherished lifelong friendships. He made sure to enjoy and share every humorous moment in life so we might all laugh together.

Kevin had a deep love of family. He adored his parents and his brothers and sisters. If anyone of them was ever in need, “Kevy” was there in an instant. He always looked forward to the annual Phillips Family Reunion each summer and the always exciting annual Phillips Family Christmas party. His favorite part of the reunions was finding new ways to make his siblings laugh, like creating a riotous 50s themed dance party in the middle of the Uintah mountains, or carting a trailer full of inebriated Phillips around Morgan for a round of Christmas caroling.

Kevin married Mary Jane Young Rose April 16, 1982 and became an “instant dad” to her two children, Royal H. Rose and Karen Anne Rose. Kevin and Mary Jane were sealed in the Ogden Temple in 1985. In addition to their older children they welcomed three more daughters into their family, Audrey Ruth, Jennifer LeAnn, and Elizabeth Sue. However, Kevin’s family didn’t end there. He treated everyone he met like family. If you came to his home you were treated and loved as family. He took in extra kids who were going through hard times. He happily shared his home with his mother-in-law for 14 years. He even thanklessly took on the morning hair and breakfast routine for his two youngest daughters while they were still in elementary school so Mary Jane could attend early morning college classes and achieve her decades long dream of earning a bachelor’s degree. Kevin reveled in the successes of his family. Taking great joy in each and every one. His kids always knew Daddy was proud of them and the things they accomplished.

Kevin loved hobbies of all kinds. But his favorite hobbies included collecting other things people might need so he could lend them out, dressing up as one of Santa’s helpers to spread Christmas service cheer, and volunteering for service opportunities that involved his truck. After all, what good is a truck if it isn’t helping somebody else?

Kevin would often say, “I’ve got big shoulders, I can take it.” Meaning that whatever you needed help with or needed to blame on someone else, he was your guy. Kevin took to heart the words of his favorite LDS Hymn, “Have I done any good in the world today.” Throughout his life he often shouldered the heavy burdens of his family, friends, and community members. Kevin never turned down a good deed that needed to be done.

He suffered for many years with a debilitating lung disorder, Pulmonary Fibrosis, that left him in a lot of pain and struggling for breath every day. Yet, despite this he miraculously continued on for over two decades working, loving, and serving others. Kevin was an active member of the LDS church throughout his life. He brought enthusiasm to all of his callings. Kevin loved to serve, always doing so with open hands and an open heart.

One of the greatest joys of his life was his work with the Boy Scouts of America. He volunteered and served in just about every capacity they have in the Boy Scout organization. He was awarded The Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth in 2012. Nothing could have made him happier.

Kevin will be deeply missed, but always remembered with a smile. He left behind a priceless legacy of devotion to family, love, and laughter.

Kevin is proceeded in death by his parents and siblings, Thomas Allen Phillips, Marshall Scott Phillips, and Colleen Sue Scothern. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Phillips and his daughters, Audrey Ruth Cornelius(Dustin), Jennifer LeAnn Baldwin(Nathan), and Elizabeth Sue Barra(Thomas), and his step-son, Royal Harlan Royse(Loretta Perucca Rose) and step-daughter, Karen Anne Rose Nelson(Brandon). He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.