Services will be held at 3pm on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Heritage Chapel. Presiding Clergy will be Jimmy Yates. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, 5434 Old Birmingham Way, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404. Visitation will be 2-3 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Chapel with Heritage Chapel & Cremations, A Dignity Memorial Provider, directing
Terry is preceded in death by mother, Verona Belle Chappell Phillips; father, Ray Camp Phillips; brother, Ray Coleman Phillips; grandparents, Velma Black and William Earl Chappell, Aliceville, and Bette and Doc Phillips, Ensley.
Survivors include spouse, Lillian Rebecca (Becky) Phillips, Jackson’s Gap; daughter, Lani Rebecca (Robert) Pedersen, Victoria, TX; sons, Matthew Terry (Shannon) Phillips, Peterborough, NH and Terry Brett (Stephanie) Phillips, Jackson’s Gap; grandchildren, Aiden Camp Phillips, Ethan Riley Phillips and Ella Marin Phillips, Peterborough, NH, Ember Alyssa Pedersen and Emmett Robert Pedersen, Victoria, TX, Christopher Brian (Kristen) Powell, Madison Elizabeth Powell and Sydney Annette Pemberton; and great-grandson, Judson Brian Powell.
Terry graduated from Ensley High School in Birmingham, AL in 1965 and enrolled at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, where he was an ROTC student and a Gas and Mineral Engineering major. As a cooperative education student, he worked on campus for the United States Government Bureau of Mines and attended night classes at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Graduating in 1971, he began his career with the Bureau of Mines in Rolla, Missouri as an Inspector. Traveling to adjoining states he loved interacting with his coworkers and mining industry companies and personnel for lead, salt, gypsum and sand and gravel operations. He trained a government employee team for safety and rescue competitions across the country and organized the Bureau’s team leading the rescue and recovery efforts after a major disaster in the flooding of a salt mine in New Iberia, Louisiana. When the Rolla office closed he transferred to Birmingham, AL and ultimately retired in 2006 after 37 years of service.
Terry loved the outdoors. He was a founding member of the Tuscaloosa Bass Fisherman’s Club and Central Missouri Bass Masters, Rolla Missouri. He excelled at fishing and many family fishing trips instilled a love for the sport in his two sons, Matt and Brett. He later began turkey hunting, became a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and followed the season for many years in Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire.
He and his wife, Becky, of 54 years lived in their beloved Tuscaloosa, AL for a total of 36 years. They have loved their Alabama Football, Gymnastics and Softball team events. After moving near their son’s family on Lake Martin they recently settled into loving life on the lake.
Terry gave his heart to Christ at a young age and he and Becky were dedicated to their fellowship with Christians and serving others.
The family wishes to acknowledge the outpouring of texts, emails, prayers and calls during the last several weeks following his accident.
Pallbearers Ethan Phillips, Aiden Phillips, Matthew Phillips, Brett Phillips, Robert Pedersen, Chappell Phillips, Ellis Coleman, Donald Phillips, Larry Dunn, Christopher Powell, Madison Powell, Sydney Pemberton, Ella Phillips, Ember Pedersen, Emmett Pedersen and Judson Powell
Honorary pallbearers Lendon Earnest, Carl Williams and Yellow Creek Volunteer Fire Department
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation (https://beatcc.org/foundation/) in Terry Earl Phillips name.
Condolences may be offered at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com
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