In Loving Memory of James Phillips

After gracing this planet for 95 years, Jim passed away in his home in Oakbrook Terrace, early Saturday morning on August 21.

Born on June 17, 1926, to Greek immigrants, Katina and Tony, he was raised in Chicago along with his other siblings: Gus, Victoria, Tulla, George, John, Sally, Nick, Ernie and Andy.

His first marriage to Lorraine Pavlatos gave him two kids, Tony and Tina. A second marriage to Phyllis Taylor gave him a whole other family of Miggenburgs from Indiana. He had a yard full of Phillips nieces and nephews, as well as greats, who all talk wonderful "Uncle Jim" stories.

If you know your history, you know historically all that he lived through in this country during his 95 years. And he remained actively concerned about which way the country was currently headed and he let the politicians know how he felt.

After high school, he joined the army that put him right into the throws of the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. That left its ever lasting mark on him. He could talk your ear off about his time and wide ranging experiences in the war, but only on request.

Post war, he returned to Chicago to work in his dad's dry cleaning business. The jobs that followed ranged from juice deliveries, employment agencies, a print shop, all kinds of side investments, projects that will remain a mystery and eventually to his document service company, SCCS.

All the while, he met new people at each turn in his life. And he kept those people in his life. His kindness, humor, honesty, generosity, down-to-earthness, stubbornness and passion to help people attracted others to him and kept him in their lives. He was blessed with his angel neighbors, Regina, Ann and Peggy, and his favorite son-in-law, Joe, who greatly aided him in his later years. And his harem of female friends reached from the Philippines with Lodi to his WWII French sweetheart, Simone.

You don't often find a person whose name ignites people's immediate descriptive response as "he's a great guy" or "he's a good man". But his did and still does. He was truly liked and very loved by all that crossed his life's path. Isn't that how one judges one's life.

Tom Brokaw was right - Jim's was the greatest generation ever and he was definitely one of them. He will be greatly missed.

On Saturday, August 28, 2021, he will receive a military burial at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home & Cemetery; 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, 630-941-5860. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Then a Greek Orthodox blessing will occur, immediately followed by the interment in the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite veterans' organization. Thank you.