Phillip Melik Aghjayan

Phillip M. Aghjayan, 54, of Hickory passed away Sunday, July 08, 2018 after a courageous 19 month battle with esophageal cancer. His prayers were never that he be healed from this disease but only that his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be glorified through his journey and that others would see Christ in journey with his illness. Born at Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda Michigan where his father was serving with the USAF, he was the son of John and Georgia Aghjayan whom both have predeceased him.

Phillip graduated from Rochester High School, Rochester MI, and Community College of the Air Force where he received his Associates of Applied Science Degree. He then completed his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

Phillip proudly served in the USAF from 1987-1991 stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB NC and rose quickly to the rank of SGT assigned to the 336 TFS as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist/F-15. He received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, NCO Professional Educational Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Training Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star for Support in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990 and 1991.

Phillip worked at The Vanguard Group at the Charlotte NC campus as a Systems Manager in Retail Systems Information Technology and Security. Phillip thoroughly enjoyed working at The Vanguard Group for over 17 years and was proud of his many accomplishments over the years and the friendships forged. The people he worked with were not only colleagues, but more importantly friends that he cared deeply for and those feelings were also reciprocated. Phillip believed in God, Country, Family and Friends in that order.

Phillip is survived by his wife of 29 years, Tamela West Aghjayan of the home; 2 sons Jamie Brice Sheldon and John Phillip Aghjayan and one daughter, Lauren Ashley Aghjayan. He is also survived by his four legged kids, Fanta, Mamie, Lucas, Belle, Casey, Bleu, Djinn, Keg, Leo, Bob and Possum; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Williard N. West and Jean E. West of New Bern, NC; sister-in-law Susan West Tripp and husband Mark Tripp of New Bern, NC and sister-in-law Pamela West Toler and her husband, Jimmy of Greenville, NC; brother, Keith Aghjayan of Denver, Colorado; numerous nephews and nieces, along with aunts and cousins and many dear friends he forged deep relationships with over the years.

Phillip enjoyed cooking, travel, golf and was an avid lover of detective novels. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Taylorsville, N.C.

Phillip’s services will take place Saturday, July 21 at Drum Funeral Home 940 29th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601. The funeral will be conducted with full military honors which will be memorable. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m. followed by the actual service conducted by Dr. Wayne Caviness, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, followed by a light catered brunch on site and concluding with a beautiful military burial in which Phillip will be lead to his final resting place by Bagpiper honoring both his English and Welch ancestry. The burial will then be concluded with a few brief words, a Bagpipe farewell, the Folding and Presentation of the Flag, a 21 gun salute and the playing of Echo Taps at the cemetery of our church at Bethlehem Baptist Church located at 7500 NC Hwy 127, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and other staff of Caldwell Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care given to him which allowed him to remain at home until 24 hours before his passing to Glory.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Phillip to either of the following places that were very near and dear to both Phillip and Tamela.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

In Memory of Phillip Aghjayan

Attn: Judy Blackburn for BBC Building Fund

7500 NC Hwy 127

Taylorsville, NC 28681

Project 2 Heal

In Memory of Phillip Aghjayan

7008 Providence Road South

Waxhaw, NC 28173