Kenneth Phillips Sr.

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, Kenneth Phillips Sr. of Winterhaven, CA, entered his journey on Thursday, December 13, 2012, in Yuma, AZ. He was born to Iola Smart Phillips and Joseph Phillips on March 6, 1929, in Sacaton, AZ. He was raised in Los Angeles, CA. and spent his life there. Later retiring to the Fort Yuma reservation.

He was a devoted husband for 48 years happily married to Joella Aguerro Phillips, before her passing in 1996. They had four children, seventeen grandchildren, fifty five great grandchildren, sixteen great great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Sherman Indian High School in 1948. Some of his interests while in school included, sports and culinary arts. He played many sports however football was his favorite. He would reminisce about his football years while watching professional football teams. In culinary class he learned to cook from scratch. He would later use these skills to cook for the family meals and celebrations.

Kenneth provided for his family by many means. He worked as a butcher for Farmer Johns, a coal miner, chemical machinist for Glamorene Inc. in Sante Fe Springs, as a security officer where he would later meet and befriend "Chief Bromden" Will Sampson from "One Who Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest", and lastly as an environmental laborer for the Quechan Tribe.

A talented and creative man whom was a self taught silversmith. Always payed meticulous attention to details with his jewelry. Choosing only the best stones and making quality work. In his pastime also enjoyed sketching, drawing sceneries and Native American culture such as feathers, eagles, and chiefs.

He could also be depended on for his handyman skills to create whatever it was you needed from a bench to any household items, he was also a mechanic by trade. The type of man you can count on!

Survived by three children, sister Ione Barrera, many, many grandchildren great and great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his wife Joella Aguerro Phillips, son, Kenneth Phillips Jr., father, Joseph Phillips, mother Iola Smart Phillips, brother Norman Phillips, sister, Belma Phillips

Services will be held at 3:00pm Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at Funeraria Del Angel Chapel. Tribal Ceremonial Rites to follow at the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Reservation Big House. Cremation following December 19, 2012 at 5:00am.

Pallbearers, John Shepard III, Robert Shepard, Joseph Shepard, Frank Venegas Jr., Ramond Zuniga, Anthony Shepard, Steven Shepard, Rufus Garcia, Whitewolf Geronimo, Draco Geronimo, and Timothy O'Brien.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jonathan Brown, Gorman Brenner Jr., Ezekiel Venegas, Peter Perez, Vincent Shepard, Kenneth V. Phillips, Adrian Phillips, Wallace Dugan Jr., Lelord Roosevelt, Ronald Aguerro, Dennis Aguerro, Lenwood Bohannon III, Mosaies Shepard, John Shepard IV, Wallace Wilson, Emilio Phillips, and David Phillips.

Gramps you will be dearly missed, for you always had a welcoming home and open doors for all of your grandchildren. We will carry your memory within our hearts and shall cherish the fond memories of you. Til we meet again……