Philip Eliot Nash

Mr. Philip Eliot Nash, 80 years old, passed away in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Friday, October 17, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Phil was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Phil’s life reflected his deep love for God, his family and his country.

Phil was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 9, 1945, to Curtis and Edna Nash. He grew up in Mount Pleasant, Michigan with his younger sister Elizabeth (Liz) and their dog Mitzie.

Phil was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, attended Central Michigan University (CMU) where he earned his bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration as part of Central’s first graduating MBA class. While at Central he met Ellen, his wife of 58 years. Phil worked at General Electric for a short period of time before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Initially he was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and served in the Honor Guard. Honor Guards are known for their precision and attention to detail which describes Phil perfectly. After that he was assigned to a military base in Vicenza, Italy for 6 years, 3 of which he served as military personnel in the 62nd Engineer Company and 3 as a civilian in the Internal Review Branch. When they moved back to the United States, he worked at the Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren Michigan. He was at TACOM until 1988 when he accepted a new role that took him and Ellen to Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia he worked about 11 years for the U.S. Army Office of the Program Manager Saudi Arabian National Guard and during that time he received a Purple Heart. He retired the first time in 2003. Then in 2006 he accepted an assignment as Budget Manager in TACOM’s Life Cycle Management Command Base Realignment and Closure. He finally fully retired in September 2011.

Phil felt fortunate to have been able to travel the world, learning about different cultures and places. He was truly immersed in the cultures of Italy and Saudi Arabia as he lived in both for an extended period. He visited London and skied in Austria, Italy and Germany. He camped in the “Empty Quarter”, went on an African Safari, visited Bangkok, enjoyed multiple trips to Hong Kong and Hawaii, toured Angkor Wat in Cambodia, climbed Sigirlya in Sri Lanka, rode a reluctant camel in Egypt and thoroughly enjoyed several trips to Walt Disney World with his children and grandchildren.

In addition to Phil and Ellen’s many adventures Phil was fortunate to ski, sail, snorkel, dive, and travel in many countries throughout the world. Phil was an avid skier, a sailing enthusiast, a PADI certified diver, enjoyed reading and had a great love for the game of golf. He and his family spent many summers in Michigan’s North Channel sailing with his family and father on The Mitzie and The Mitzie Too. Phil was blessed to have the opportunity to sail on a friend’s boat in the Port Huron to Mackinaw race multiple times. Phil also sailed with Ellen and friends in Thailand, Turkey, and the Caribbean. He went scuba diving in The Red Sea, and he always carried a good book with him wherever he went. Once retired, Phil spent many winters in Florida playing golf with his sister Liz, his brother-in-law Ron and friends. No matter where Phil traveled to, he always yearned to be home with family on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Phil loved his children and grandchildren and was always excited to see them and hear their latest news. He attended as many swim meets, school music concerts, volleyball games, soccer games and softball games as he could over the years. He attended honors assemblies and graduations and loved being an active part of their lives and watching them grow.

Phil made the most of his life and will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Phil is survived by his wife Ellen, their two daughters Gretchen Perry (Chris) and Jessica Leja (Dana) and four grandchildren Lauren Perry, Rachel Perry, Dylan Leja, Wyatt Leja and his granddogs Bella and Sakari. He is also survived by his sister Liz (Ron) and his nieces and nephew. Phil is preceded in death by his loving parents Curtis and Edna.

A celebration of his life will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 620 Romeo Rd, Rochester, Michigan 48307 on Monday, October 27, 2025. Visitation will be from 10 am until 11 am. The service will begin at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.