John Raymond Phillips

John (Juanito) Phillips, beloved husband, father, and papa, entered eternal rest on May 4, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father Major (Retired, US Army) John R. Phillips and mother Anita (Semoli) Phillips.

Born in 1949 in Trieste, Italy, John and his parents moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1963. He graduated from Maryvale High School in 1967. Gifted with toughness and grit, John attended the University of Wyoming and played football for the Cowboys during the ’67-’68 seasons. Afterwards, John transferred to Glendale Community College where he was reunited with his high school football buddies to play together again. These gridiron greats became best friends for life. Ultimately, John transferred to Arizona State University where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business in 1974. John dedicated 25 years to teaching high school mathematics in Arizona and Texas, with most of those years sharing his keen knowledge of numbers, life, and laughter with his beloved students at Fountain Hills High School.

Among many things John loved in his life was his Catholic faith, making his beloved wife a delicious gourmet breakfast, taking adventurous road trips, riding horses, watching old school western movies, collecting guns, taking motorcycle rides with his son, advocating for the superior scent of green Polo, enjoying the view of ocean waves at the beach, enjoyed watching football all weekend in the fall, and patiently informing kids that they can’t just pick the shrimp off a paella, but must consume the whole dish.

John is survived by his beloved and dedicated wife of 30 years, Patsy (Patz) Fierro Phillips; son Matthew Phillips Fierro (Shelby); grandchildren Tristian and Mikayla Fierro; sisters Sue Phillips Darrenkamp and Sharon Phillips Lim (Fred); parents-in-law Joe and Irene Fierro; nieces and nephews Cecily Dunlap (Bobby), Jacob McAlpine (Elena), Austin Fierro, and Madison Fierro; great nephew and nieces Parker Dunlap, Nora Cate Dunlap and Becca Dunlap. John is also survived by his BFF and all family members who dearly loved him.