Grandpa,
I like how you were nice to me and made me feel special!  You would take me to the pool at my house and we would have fun in the water. Camping with you are memories that i will remember always.  You taught me how to fish. I will always remember how you were the first person up in the mornings, reading your newspaper.  If I was at your house you would get me a bowl of cereal and I would sit with you. I look forward to seeing you again someday.  I love you!
Your grandson, Daniel Osborn

A memory I will always have is how my Grandpa told me that he was the third person to hold me right after I was born. I love how my Grandpa takes such pride in this because deep down it makes me feel important, special and loved by my Grandfather. My fondest memories that I will always cherish with my Grandfather is being up at Yosemite National Park with him and our families. The river water is always so freezing cold! The cold freezing water did not stop my Grandfather and me from sneaking out at night to go take a midnight dip and freeze together. It always seemed fun though to go splash around and share those corny memories. It makes me laugh and smile how silly my grandfather and I are. I love my Grandpa, He lives in me and I can’t wait for that day when I see his smiling face. “Hey baby doll!” I can hear him say. Love you Grandpa!

Phil,

Will miss all the Love that you affectionately showed for family! 

Will definitely miss seeing you at all the kids sporting events and special occassions.

Will always cherish the double dates shared at a restaurant or at the movies.

Will always remember you and the wonderful times that we shared when visiting God's beautifully created Yosemite.

You now have a far more important work to do on the other side.  God be with you til we meet again.

You will forever be in my thoughts!

Love always - Eric

PHIL’S LIFE SKETCH

Opening:
If you were to glance at the program, you would note that I have been assigned to give Phil’s life sketch.  What I will attempt to do; is to paint a portrait of Phil as seen through my eyes, the eyes of his wife (Karen), and the eyes of his children and grandchildren.  Of course, Phil did not become a part of our lives until at least the year 1980.  So, my painting starts there.

Meeting mom at hertz
In the year 1980, my mom worked along with Lorna Matthews at Hertz, shuttling cars from location to location.  Somehow, Karen caught Phil’s eye.  As we all may know, Phil had quite a character and was definitely not afraid to speak what was on his mind.  

I am told, that one day, as my mom was waiting in a car that she had been shuttling, that Phil walked over and posed the question to Karen, “Do you believe in Love at first sight?  To which she kindly responded, “I don’t think your wife would like to hear you say that.”  You see, my mom noted that Phil still wore his wedding band.  Phil quickly responded, “But, I am no longer married.”

As the months of shuttling cars at Hertz passed by, Phil continued to seek ways of getting Karen’s attention.  One such way that Phil devised was to send mom out to the farthest lot.  This allowed Phil the opportunity to follow Karen out to the lot; and because of the distance, a reasonable excuse to give her a ride back to the waiting van.  Phil of course, took advantage of this short time together with Karen to bring up conversations with her; giving them a chance to get to know each other a little better.

During this time of getting to know each other, Karen had to let Phil know that she would not be able to go out with him until her divorce was finalized.  So, it turns out that Phil ended up waiting almost a year before their first official date.  Once Karen’s divorce was finalized, she agreed to go on a date with Phil.



Dating
For there first date, Phil decided to take Karen to the movies; and it is my understanding that the movie of choice was “Quest for Fire”.  I recall Phil telling of this first date and that he had hoped that this movie would give them a lot of things to talk about after the movie.  Upon asking Karen on what she thought of the movie, Karen responded “I’m sorry, but I do not have a belief in evolution”.

Needless to say, this response put a damper on any further conversation in regards to the movie; however, it did lead into Phil’s first lesson as it pertains to the beliefs that Karen and those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints have.

Over the first few years of Phil and Karen’s courtship, neither one of them had much money for dating; so many dates consisted of going into Hollywood to watch what I recall Phil often calling “The Crazy People”.  Other inexpensive dates consisted of going to the Los Angeles visitor’s center for “Friday night dates”.  I am told; that they attended the Los Angeles visitor’s center so many times that Phil got to the point where he had all the church videos memorized.  Especially, the video “The First Vision”.

Do Drop In
A very dear and close friend to my mother, Nancy Carey, has written a tribute to Phil titled “Do Drop In”.  This tribute will help us to understand the type of personality that Phil had and will help me in the painting of Phil’s portrait. 

Marriage
Towards the end of their first four years of dating, I (who was living at home at the time) left on my 2 year mission to New Zealand at the age of 24.  Hmm, 5 years later than normal.  Looking back, it seems that our Heavenly Father in his infinite wisdom had a purpose for having Phil become a part, at that exact time of my mother’s life.  It is while on my mission and after nearly 5 years of courting that Phil and Karen married in Las Vegas on July 20, 1985.

Their good friends Margo & the late Jaime Huish served as their witnesses.  I am told, that it was Phil’s desire that they be wedded in the month of July, close to Karen’s birthday (actually only 2 days a part) so that yearly anniversaries would be easy for him to remember.

Love of Family
If coming home late from work, I will often listen to a Sports Talk radio show.  There is one particular Talk Show Host that has a theme for his show called “A celebration of life through Sports”.  But as I paint this portrait of Phil, I want to change that theme to “A celebration of life through the love of Family”.  

Phil was a people person and he loved his families.  I am not convinced that Phil loved going to work early each morning, but I do know that he loved the people that made up his Hertz family.  He also loved his church Ward family and came to church each Sunday with Karen to be with them.  And he so very dearly loved his immediate family; his wife – Karen, his 6 children, 13 grand-children and 2 great grand-children.  

I know for a fact that Phil very much enjoyed spending time with family.  I can recall from a younger age how he would accompany mom to come watch me play on the Young Men’s Softball team.  He even played softball on the older men’s team a couple of years himself.  Years later, after having hung up our cleats, I can recall how Phil and I and those around us would get a good chuckle when Phil brought up past memories of when the Older Men’s team would play the Younger Men’s team.  He would say “all we ever did was chase those balls hit into the outfield”.

As the years passed, a love for watching his grand-children play their various sports replaced the watching of his children and we often saw Phil and Karen out on the multiple fields watching their grand-children play some sport at least a couple of times each month if not more.

Phil never hesitated when Grandpa Eldon called him up and asked for Phil to accompany him to an Angel game.  Later in life, it was Phil, Karen, my wife Michele and I that attended the ballgames together.  In fact, I can recall that my very first date with my wife Michele was on a double date with Phil and Karen to a Hertz Christmas party back in 1986.  Through the next 24 years, Michele and I came to love the double dates that we took with Phil and Karen whether it was to a ballgame, the movies, the theatre, or to a sit-down dinner at a restaurant.  

Phil never hesitated when it came to helping others.  Helping others was something that Phil loved to do.  And he never expected anything in return.  I recall on several occasions when Phil helped his children (including myself) obtain new cars by suggesting the use of the discount available through Hertz.  On several occasions, he helped us get discounts on rental cars upon request.  These are only a few of the many ways that Phil helped his family or friends.

I testify, Phil Loved Family!  And I can honestly believe that our Heavenly Father allowed Phil to beat the odds of a 10 year diagnosed life expectancy that he received at the age of 30 (an additional 25 years) because of his Love for family.

Yosemite
I think that this next section that I paint of Phil’s portrait would be one of the most favored remembrances that his Grandchildren have of him, so I will refer to him as Grandpa Phil.  Grandpa Phil loved the outdoors and just a few years after marriage, he and Grandma Karen were on there way for a weekend trip to Yosemite.  They must not have known that they needed reservations, because they spent the morning waiting in line for reservation tickets for a weekends stay.

That first camping trip in August of 1986 in the Yosemite Valley was soon to become an annual family meeting place, a highlight for the year and a family tradition over the next 21 years; our last trip being made in the year 2007 due to the difficulty in obtaining tickets.  Clint and Robyn (my sister) Johnson were next to join the Phillips in the year 1988; followed by myself with my first time pregnant wife – Michele in the year 1990.  Soon thereafter, Angie and her daughter Ariel were the next to join the clan at Yosemite. 
 Grandpa Phil and Grandma Karen quickly discovered that June or July were the best months to visit Yosemite and that North Pines was the most beautiful and scenic of all the Yosemite Valley camp grounds.  I recall that on those first early trips to Yosemite, Grandpa Phil and Grandma Karen had what I call a “Pancake Trailer”.  That is because it rode behind the truck flat like a pancake; upon getting to the camp site, the top came up and the sides came out to make a small but nice trailer.  In later years, they were able to up-grade to a larger trailer which was very nice for the two of them.

One funny thing that I recall about our trips to Yosemite is that Grandpa Phil came up with a name for the lady Camp Host that we recognized year after year.  The name he gave his favorite Camp Host was “Q-Tip” because of the head full of gray hair that she had.   Perhaps it is not quite so funny now, seeing as I am starting to gray myself.

Although there are many, following are some of the fondest memories that I have of Grandpa Phil at our family gatherings in Yosemite: 

1) Polar Bear Swims – I believe it was Grandpa Phil that initiated what I call the Polar Bear swim.  It has been a while, but it seems like right around 10 PM, Grandpa Phil gathered all that were interested in taking a dip into the ice cold river.  Burrrrr,  I am cold just thinking about it.

2) Earliest to rise – I recall that by the time I got out of bed, that Grandpa Phil had already been awake for some time and could often be found sitting in his lawn chair reading the latest novel.  I am positive that his early morning shift at Hertz played a part in this habitual early morning rise.

3) Rafting down the Merced – Rafting down the Merced River was a favorite for old and young alike.  I can’t be for sure, but I believe that it was Grandpa Phil that started a majority of the water fights.  In those earlier Yosemite years, when we had reached the end of our course, Grandpa Phil led those Grand-kids that were brave enough to jump off the bridge that crossed the river.  Grandpa and Grandchild could be seen in midair holding hands as they fell into the deep river below.

4) The swimming pool – when it came time to take the Grandkids to the swimming pool, Grandpa Phil was the first to volunteer.  It seems that most of us parents wanted to lay in the warm sun or take a chance while the kids played in the pool, but not Grandpa Phil, he was usually first in the pool right along side the Grandkids.  Although I can’t remember, I am told that Grandpa Phil taught some of the Grandkids how to swim while at Yosemite.  

5) Cops and Mafia – This was a game that the whole family could play at night around the campfire.  With so many people playing, there were normally two Cops and two Mafia.  The rest were civilians. The draw of a particular playing card determined your character in the game.  The funny thing about playing with Grandpa Phil was that he would at times either forget his character or get his character mixed up (either thinking he was Mafia, when he was really suppose to be a Cop or vice versa).  The narrator of the game would then have to stop the game because all of sudden, we had three Mafia head popping up.

6) Ice Cream/Pizza runs – One day out of the week, no one cooked dinner.  Instead, the whole group went to one of the villages for Pizza.  After dinner and while we were there at the village, nobody could resist having an ice cream for desert.  At first, we rode bicycles into the village, just a short ride away; but as families got bigger and Grandparents got older the Yosemite Tram became the mode of transportation.

Other outdoor activities
Phil and Karen very much enjoyed each others company and while they were younger, could be found riding their bicycles from the house to the beach.  Some bicycle rides were taken along the beach strand from Bolsa Chica to Newport or from Seal Beach to Long Beach.  They very much enjoyed riding their bikes along the boat marinas to view the boats.  From time to time, Phil and Karen would wake up at 3:00 in the morning to travel to Monterey Bay for Clam Chowder and then turn around and come home.  Phil had a love for fishing and upon retirement had a plan and a goal to move to Utah and learn how to fly-fish.  Annually, it seems, Grandpa Phil would pick up my son – Kolton for a special day of Grandpa / Grandson bonding and they would spend the day on a small fishing boat at the local Irvine Lake.  Another favorite for Grandpa Phil was to take the older grandchildren and his guns out for a day of targeting shooting.  

Yes indeed, Phil loved the outdoors and he loved working in his garage.  Looking back, upon arriving at Phil & Karen’s home, I would have to say, 8 out of 10 times Phil was either working in the front or backyard, barbequing or working on a special project in the garage.

First Public Prayer
When my son, Kolton, turned eight in 2004, a request of Phil was given of him to say the prayer at his baptism.  After at least 20 years of taking Karen to church, several missionary discussions and many other spiritual experiences, Phil had mustered up enough courage to speak out loud his first prayer in a public settling.  I am told that Phil was very honored, but scared, to be a part of the baptismal program.

Michael’s traits
As you could probably tell, Phil’s son Michael looks a whole lot like his father.  As we visited with Michael over the past week, I wondered if I would notice a similar trait both Michael and Phil shared (so I casually observed Michael as I looked for this similar trait that they both shared).  It wasn’t until we were at the mortuary in Covina, that I definitely saw it.  Michael had grabbed what I believe was a Navy flag, that must have been partially broken.  However, as he handled it, it snapped in half.  Obvious to Michael, he knew that my mom and I had seen the flag break, when he gave a …………..  that was not me that just broke that flag.  And that was Grandpa Phil.  Every now and then Grandpa Phil would play a prank on one of the grandkids and even though we all knew who had pulled the prank, we would get a …………….  that was not me who just did that. 

Full Circle
As I finish my painting of Phil, I want to come full circle.  Phil and Karen made it to their Silver Anniversary; 25 wonderful years of togetherness.  It is my understanding that in his last spoken prayer, just before his passing, he offered up a prayer on lunch and along with blessing the food, he thanked our Heavenly Father for the deep Love that was shared between himself and his wife.  Phil loved family.

In closing, it is my hope that you can envision the same loving man that I have attempted to paint.  We say goodbye and farewell to a beloved friend, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband.  As the song hymn reads, “God be with you til we meet again”.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Dear Phil,
Memories of our time with you have flooded my mind since the day you left your earthly life with us.  At times it seems impossible to comprehend that you have moved on in your journey in the Plan of Salvation and are preparing for that time when we will meet again. I hope you have had the chance to meet my sweet mother and have told her that she should be proud of the woman that I have become.  Tell her of the many, many amazing experiences you had with her grandchildren and please know that myself and my children are better people for having known you!  I have to admit that we California kids were spoiled to have been able to live with you and my dear mother-in-law for long-so close at hand.  You were there for everything!  I hadn't come to terms yet with the thought of you getting ready to relocate to Utah.  I know my kids realize how fortunate they were to have you so involved in their lives, I know I was as well.  Like Clint, there were times when I felt closer to you than my own father and appreciated being able to come to you about anything.  As your daughter-in-law I hope you knew how much I loved you and was gratful for the support you gave to me as a member of your family and as a mother to your grandchildren. Fond memories of you wil always be in my heart-you'll always be forever young!!
XOXOXO  Michele

Grandpa 
I love you so much, it's been rough without you because you were and still are a core part of our family, you influenced me so much and were so good to me. It's hard to let go for the time that is spend without you but I know that when I make my trip up there you wil warmly greet me. You were so suportive always coming to my games and cheering me on. Thanks for the memories that we had I feel so blessed that we had so much quality time together. I will always remember going on biking trips and shooting guns, I looked forward to helping you set up stuff for the holidays and you would always tell me not to hurt myself but I could have done so much more and you were there to take the load off my shoulders. I loved hearing you tell me your many story that i will always keep with me. I loved going fishing and getting skunked because we would wait on the shore and catch the tiny ones and bust out laughing. You had such a special talent at being the one to brighten our spirits when we were feeling low and making us laugh. I'm so lucky to have a Grandpa like you because your one of a kind no one else is like you, and I know what kind of Father and Grandfather I want to be because of you. I'll see you later.

Love Your Grandson Forever Kolton

Phil,
Unfortunately you weren't able to move near us like we all had hoped.  You became a very vital part of mine and my children's life.  We were fortunate enough to get to know each other over the 25 years or so.  I do know that at our first meeting, you were not so found of me.  However I know that I grew on you.  Just as you grew on me.  I came to apreciate all of your examples of being a caring loving father-in-law and Grandfather.  You did not know that I felt closer to you than my own father.  I do love him also, but you will always be that man I looked up to, to create a strong extended family.  I will miss you more than anyone would ever know.  I shield my feelings most of the time.  I let you in and wish you could have been closer so we could do more.  I learned alot about being a friendly person from you.  I just wish I had your charisma in that area.  As I once said publically, I will never let you go.  
I love you.  Clint

Grandpa, 
I love you sooo much!! I remeber the special times we had together everyday. I loved it when you would come to my games and watch me play soccer. You were always my #1 fan and you still are! You didnt care if I missed a pass or if I didnt score a goal. The only thing you cared about was to see me smile and to have a good time on the field. Thats why when I think of you I think of the word "loving" thats what decribes you best. To me you loved everyone no matter what! Thats why I love you so much. I know when I play soccer you may not be right there on the side line but your still watching me from up there. I hope to see you someday again in heaven untill then keep smiling because the end is not over!
Love your grandaughter Shelby

Dear Grandpa,
I miss you a lot. I wish you were here with us still. I miss going to the beach with you and all the fun things you did with me. You were always funny and made us all laugh. I loved to go to California to see you and Grandma. I hope to see you in heaven again. I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your grandson Steven

Dear Grandpa Phil,
I really loved you and I am sad that you left but your in peace now. I really liked the way you played with us. You were always a great grandpa and we will be missing you for a long time. I can’t wait to see you someday and hear your voice. You were always nice and playful. I really loved your voice and your laughter. I am very very sad that you died but I will remember all the memories.
Love, Logan

Grandpa Phil,
I am so grateful for the little time I had to know you. Thank you for accepting me and always making me feel welcome and loved. When I think of you I will always remember torturous teasing, teddy bear hugs, sleeveless shirts, how you lectured us to go to church as you tried to skip out, the King of the Beach, how you flirted with Grandma, how you acted like a teenager, how you loved to tell stories, and how much you loved your family unconditionally. I will love and remember you forever.
Love,
Briana Johnson

Dear Crappa (Grandpa),
Words cannot express the feelings I have for your loss.  You were the best Grandpa anyone could ever hope for.  You always made me feel special and loved.  I always knew you were proud to be my Grandpa as I was proud to be your Granddaughter.  I will cherrish the memories I have with you. I miss you very much Grandpa.  Until we meet again.
Love your Granddaughter,
Heather (Bubby)

Grandpa,
I love and miss you so much.  You were an absolutely amazing grandpa.  There aren't a whole lot of grandpas in the world like you, and I just wish you were still here.  Thank you for all the many memories that you've given me.   You truly were one of a kind.  I'm going to miss going to your house and getting a dose of your great sense of humor; you always knew how to make the family smile.  And Yosemite will definitely not be the same without you, but you will always be in our hearts, and I will be so happy when we get to see you again after this life.  You were an inspiration to me and many others.  I only hope that I can treat my grandkids half as good as you treated us when I have them.  I always felt your love.  Grandma, I love you so much also.  Thank you for bringing in such an amazing person like grandpa into our lives.  And just know that where always here for you and we always love you.

Grandpa,  I love you so much.  It is a shame you could not make it to our house for christmas.  I really miss that special day when you come over.  Love your favorite granddaughter Kylie
PS everybody is your favorite

Phil,
I can not express how much I will miss you when we go visit.  You would always make our visits so fun taking the kids to the beach and parks.  We would look forward every year for Yosemite and now it will never be the same.  I can not wait to see you again in heaven.  Mom, I am so sorry for your loss. I love you so much and admire you.  Love Robyn

Phil,
Thank you for being my 2nd grandpa.  After warming up to me you were nothing short of the Grandpa I never had.  I know you were protecting Amber when we first met and I know that you would defend anybody that you love.  Your beautiful granddaughter Amber became my girfriend, fiancee and eventually, my wife.  At each interval you made me feel more and more like family and mre welcome at your house.  I miss you saying "Hey Bubby" whenever you saw us (Ambr, Malachi and Micah) and how you lit up whenever we visited.  I know how I want to be towards my grandchildren when I have them.  If I could be half the grand (and great) father you were I would be well remembered.  I wont forget after your shoulder surgery when you wanted to hold Micah, despite the pain.  You sat down, prepared yourself by wincing, but held on to Micah while he slept in your arms.  I saw how proud you were, and how much you adored your new great-grandson.  Thank you for teaching me about how to be a better husband, father, and grandfather.  I love you and look forward to hearing you say "hey Bubby" again one day.  I know that the pain we feel at temporarily losing you is only a fraction of the joy that we will feel when we see you again.  I love you my friend.  God be with you until we meet again!
Love,
Garret Rose

Grandpa, you will always hold a special place in my heart.  You and grandma have been like parents to me and I esteemed you as such.  Not only did you look after me like a father, but you loved me in a way that always made me feel special.  You were always the first one to lend a helping hand any time I was in need.  Thank you for always being there when I needed you the most.  I will miss your great big bear hugs and will be waiting for one when we are reunited one day.  Grandma, I love you very much and only hope that my own marriage will be as youthful and happy as yours and Grandpa's was the day he died.  You both have been an inspiration to Garret and I.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  You are an amazing woman.

I'm sorry I can't be there with you Grandma.  I love you very much!   I wish that Grandpa and I could have had more time together but I will always miss him, love him, and remember the times that we did spend together.
Erica Miller

Karen and family of Phil, I'm very sorry for your lose,sending prayers and many blessings. God bless you, Sherri and Dave Reed.

Dad I am going to miss you so much. I am glad that we were able to mend the fences and become very close. I know right now you are with the rest of your brothers and sister giving them hell. As you watch down on us I am going to continue to make you proud. Still waiting to wake up from this bad nightmare and you are going to be there when I call. Dad I love you so much and will miss you very much. going to miss the WC fights that we had. Give everyone a kiss and hug from me and one day I will see you again.

OBITUARIO

Phil Phillips

27 agosto, 1945 – 1 diciembre, 2010

Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary

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