Harlan Hollis Phillips

Harlan Hollis Phillips, beloved husband of Muriel Robson Phillips (d.2015), passed away July 1, 2020 just 11 days before his 88th birthday. He is survived by daughters Linda and Sheryl; grandson, Austin; granddaughter, Zhibek; brother, Dwight Phillips; and many nieces and nephews. Harlan was grateful for his career journey which took him from humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son in Fayette, Alabama, to air crew gunner in the Korean War (stationed in Springfield, Mass where he met and married “Yankee” Muriel Anne Robson), to High School Biology teacher in Newnan, Georgia, to Classified Advertising Manager for Knight-Ridder Newspapers in Tallahassee, Florida and Macon, Georgia, and then as General Manager of the Park Newspapers, in Brooksville, FL, and The News Virginian, in Waynesboro, Virginia where he lived for 37 years. Harlan valued his Waynesboro community where he made many life-long friends. He will be remembered for his love of telling funny stories as well as teasing others with his quick wit, including all the amazing staff members at Augusta Health with whom he joked until his final minutes. Harlan entered military service on 4 Feb 1952. He was qualified as an aircrew gunner in the USAF. He honorably served in the Korean War. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Air Medal, and a Master Aircrewman badge during his military service. He received the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea in 2020. Harlan enjoyed a round of golf anytime he could get to it and made many friends out on the green. Dan, Pete, Bucky, and Lisa all know what a passion he had for being on the golf course and he was grateful to all of them for the times they had together, even if it was just a ride on the golf cart. Harlan’s life was made richer by the acts of kindness and friendships with his neighbors Pat, Linnea, Maria, and Darlene who gathered his mail when he wintered in Myrtle Beach and shared fresh vegetables with him in the summers, and even helped him with his taxes, wi-fi, and working the remote to switch between Netflix and the TV! And there is the happenstance meeting of Allstate agent, Dwayne, who tells the story of when Harlan needed some drywall repair done in his home. Dwayne offered to come over and do it for him. Harlan had never put up drywall in his life, but he told Dwayne just how to do it as he worked. Afterwards, Harlan said, “What do I owe you?” Dwayne said, “Breakfast.” And so, they met the next day for breakfast and that began a beautiful friendship with Dwayne and Robin not long after Muriel had passed away and which brought a new joy to Harlan’s life. He and Dwayne have been meeting for breakfast ever since, even the day before Harlan went into the hospital. Harlan and Muriel had life-long friendships with many dear people they knew from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, as well as in Virginia. These friendships were special to Linda and Sheryl, as well. “Aunt Lucy” and “Cousin David” from Muscle Shoals, AL were like real relatives to us! Harlan loved his family and his greatest joy was when the grandkids and daughters could all be together. A favorite time was around the 4th of July when the family would gather on Harlan’s back deck to grill out, eat watermelon, and make teeth-freezing homemade ice cream with an old fashioned churn. Waynesboro became “Summer Camp” for both Austin and Zhibek as they were growing up, walking along the river, picnicking up on the mountain, and accompanying Papa to the golf course as often as possible. Their artwork and early writing attempts as well as endless photographs cover Harlan’s kitchen walls and refrigerator. The grandkids will each miss this centerpiece in their lives, and their Papa/Pop very much. Harlan was deeply grateful to the care of his many local doctors through these past few years, and especially indebted for the care of Dr. Naheed Velji and Angie Shy of Augusta Health who gave him the most amazing last year of his life which was free from pain and filled with energy, mental clarity, and joy thanks to their efforts to get approval for an innovative treatment for him. During his short stay in the hospital, the family was able to get there and visit with Harlan for two days before his passing which occurred from a weakened heart. He was alert and joking throughout that time, giving us many “to-do lists.” LOL His brother, Dwight, and nephew, Alan, were able to be there from Alabama during this time, too. Harlan is survived by daughters, Linda J Phillips of Myrtle Beach, SC; Sheryl D Phillips of Arlington, VA; grandson, Austin O Luken; granddaughter, Zhibek A Phillips; brother, Dwight Appling Phillips of Moody, AL; and many wonderful nieces and nephews in Alabama and Massachusetts. Memorial Services will be scheduled in the future when (hopefully) the Covid-19 Pandemic is slowing, and we can gather with one another safely and maybe without face masks. A service facilitated by Pastor Janet Knott, Glovier Memorial UMC of Waynesboro, VA will be part of the celebration. There will also be a Military Honors Service for Harlan at The Alabama National Cemetery in Pelham, AL for his Air Force Service to his country, The United States of America. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: The General Oncology Fund at Augusta Health Foundation, PO Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939. https://www.augustahealth.com/foundation/give Or to the American Legion Post 555, 50 Racquet Parkway, Pelham, AL 35124. Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com