Fred Earnest Phillips died Sunday January 17th, 2016 in Shreveport, Louisiana, his home of 28 years. Fred was born on June 16th, 1930 in Midland, Pennsylvania, to Floyd Earnest “Poker” Phillips and Grace Dixon Phillips. Raised in the town of Hundred, West Virginia, Fred grew up working hard in the rural Appalachian town where he was surrounded by family and friends. Fred set off when he turned 20 years old and joined the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. He continued to apply the strong work ethic instilled in him by his parents and strived to better himself further. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps, Fred began his career as a welder and through determined effort attained the position of welding inspector, and finally project superintendent.
No job was too big or too far away for Fred, an attitude that led him to working on a large number of different projects, from a desalinization plant in Saudi Arabia to a nuclear power plant, chemical plants, and oil refineries scattered across the United States. Even after his retirement, he continued to work tirelessly in his own pursuits around his Shreveport home, rental properties, or his cattle ranch in Webster Parish, Louisiana. The stubborn drive that led him to chase every opportunity never faded. Even after selling the rental properties and slowly diminishing his cattle herd, Fred continued working on the house he shared with his wife Caroline and supervised a growing number of renovation projects undertaken by his son, Chad. With a fervor that belied his age, Fred was an active force to be reckoned with up to the morning of his death.
Fred Earnest Phillips was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd “Poker” Phillips and Grace Dixon Phillips, his sister Genova Lough, brother William “Ronnie” Phillips, son-in-law, Mike South, and niece, Debbie Phillips. Fred is survived by his wife of 33 years, Caroline Bozeman Phillips, his brother, Jack Phillips and wife, Doris, his daughters Tina South, Kellie Zimmer and husband, Mark, his sons, Brian Phillips and wife, Debbie, Bradley Phillips and wife, Audrey, and Chad Phillips. He leaves behind grandchildren Sean South, Stacy Kelly, Ryan Phillips, Hillary Arrieta, Timothy McClellan, Cole Phillips, and Vivien Phillips as well as seven great-grandchildren.He also is survived by his niece Lorna Phillips and nephews, Homer, Steve, and Mike Phillips, and Morgan and Dane Lough.
Fred’s wife, Caroline, would also like to give a special thanks to Fred’s best friends Donnie Barr and Bill Butcher as well as Dr. Michael Futrell for his own tireless efforts as Fred’s physician.
A graveside service will be held at Mount Herman Cemetery near Hundred, West Virginia on Thursday, January 21st.
Memorial donations may be made to Mount Herman Cemetery care of Lorna Phillips, P.O Box 12, Hundred WV 26575.