Roger Dale Phillips, Sr.

Our beloved Roger Dale Phillips, Sr. transitioned to eternal life on December 9th, 2025, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was a strong, gentle, and good man of prayer, faith, and service with an undying love for God and his family.

Roger was born to Rupert Dale Phillips and Eleonora Bohle on December 5, 1938, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In 1954 his family moved to Jacksonville where he attended Lee High School, met, and dated Diane Bethel. He graduated Lee in 1957 and attended Jacksonville University before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving from 1959-1963 as an Electronics Technician, 2nd Class. In 1960, Roger and Diane reunited, and they married on April 24, 1961, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. After moving to Ft. Lauderdale, their three daughters Lisa, Dana, and Teal were born. While in the Coast Guard, he had three memorable stations of duty: a LORAN-C Monitor Station in Iceland, the Diamond light ship off Frying Pan Shoals, N.C., and Miami, where in 1962 he assisted in the rescue of refugees fleeing Cuba. Roger started a long career at NARF (NAS JAX) in 1967 and retired as an Electronics Integrated Systems Mechanic in 1994. In 1980, to his joy, a son, Roger, Jr., was born.

Roger had many adventures over the years. One of the most important to him was competitive trail riding on his Arabian stallion, Gaztsara. He was an exceptional horseman, completing 35-, 50-, and 100-mile rides. He shared his love of adventures with horses and dogs and Wampus cats with his wife and his daughters. Roger loved dogs, especially Airedale Terriers: from Butch to his last, Argos. He loved the water, camping, lobstering, and fishing in the Florida Keys, Steinhatchee, Chokoloskee, and the creeks around Little Talbot Island. Roger taught his family a love of the water, the woods, and all of God’s creatures.

Roger was a devout Catholic communicant at St. Luke Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10626 and served his church and his Lord in many ways: as a Lector, a sponsor of youth for Confirmation, head of the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drive for the disabled, and co-head of the St. Luke Festival. In later years he served as a joyful greeter at the 8:15 AM Mass. Roger also hand crafted over 100 crosses out of cedar gifted from St. Luke’s property for his parish family.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving family: Diane, his wife of 64 years; his daughters Lisa Zelm (Waldemar), Dana Phillips, and Teal Simmons; his son Roger Dale Phillips, Jr.; his six grandchildren Richard Moore, Jr., Kara Payne, Bryon Dreading (Sara), Keith Warren (Jessica), Stephen Dreading, and Jacob Simmons (Brittany); six great grandchildren Allison, Victor, Allana, Hunter, Anthony, and Salem; his sister Karen Bram and her children Becky, Doug, and Philip; his cousins Josephine Spalding and Stephen Furgerson (Marianela); he and Diane’s faithful dog, Penny; and all his friends of two and four legs, of fin and feather he so loved and cherished.

The Memorial Mass for Roger will be Saturday January 17th, 2026, 11:00 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church 1606 Blanding Blvd. Middleburg, FL 32068 with Fr. Edward Rooney officiating. A reception will follow the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven-Robert's Hospice Care Center 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177.