Philip Arthur Auernheimer

Philip Arthur Auernheimer, son of Arthur & Bessie Auernheimer, was born March 3, 1946, in Washington, Illinois, the 6th of 7 children. He lived in Illinois, California, Missouri, and back to Illinois before moving to Arizona in 1957 as an eleven-year-old.

Phil graduated from Phoenix Christian High School in 1964. He married Phyllis in 1972, working as a florist, and then for a sand & gravel company. In the early 70’s, he established a motocross track in Rainbow Valley under the name ADR (Arizona Desert Racing). He transitioned away from motocross to desert racing, naming his new company ADRA (Arizona Desert Racing Association). He promoted races all over the state of Arizona, Sonora Mexico, & 1 race in New Mexico for the next 2 decades, while simultaneously running a t-shirt printing business before the closing years of ADRA.

During the years of staging races in Mexico, Phil became aware of the dire needs of the Mexican people and began asking the racers to help provide gifts at Christmas time for the children of Sonoyta & Puerto Peñasco. As ADRA came to a close, Phil felt the call of the Lord to support a local pastor of a Baptist church in Puerto Peñasco and he devoted his time and service to the Mexican people with goods, dental and medical clinics, services, Biblical training, and bringing groups of young people to help build the church buildings.

Towards the last decade of his life, Phil led the men’s prayer group at his local church and enjoyed mentoring many men. He was a compassionate, committed Christian who loved the Lord Jesus and longed for others to know Him, too. He shared the gospel with everyone he met and never knew a stranger.

Phil passed away just 5 days before celebrating his 52nd wedding anniversary. Phil is survived by his wife Phyllis, his son Jamie and wife Jacinda and their sons Tate, Ty, Taegan, Malachi, and CJ; his daughter Shaunna and her husband Steven Hiner with their children, Isaac, Emma, Stacy, and Courtney with her husband Corban Schneeflock.