Kenneth is survived by his wife, Eva Kelley Phillips; daughters, Kerry (John) Howard, Kim Phillips, Jane Ballard; son Larry (Betty) Guillot; granddaughter, Ainsley Howard.
Ken, aka Pop Pop, joined the Army in 1950 at the young age of 17 with a forged parental signature by a friend. Later that year, when he was being promoted to Sargent, Pop Pop accidentally let his true birthdate be known. He was honorably discharged the same day. Then, in February 1951 young Kenny Phillips joined the Navy and served his country proudly as an Underwater Demolition Specialist during the Korean War.
After the war, Ken returned to Mobile, Alabama as a civil servant. He held an Engineering Degree from the Navy and worked at Brookley Air Force Base. He married and had two young children, Larry and Jane Lee. He also owned the first drive in restaurant in Mobile. Several years later, Kenneth divorced and remarried to Eva Mae Kelley. The young couple was transferred to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia where Kenneth’s career flourished. Ken and Eva had two daughters, Kim and Kerry, who were born and raised in Warner Robins. They often enjoyed visiting dad at work and watching planes on the flight line. He became the Section Chief of the F15 and C130’s. During the Gulf War, it was Kenneth’s F15s that were deployed. He completed his career for the government as the Base IG and retired after 41 years of military and civil service for his country.
Ken was a devout Christian having been a Deacon at Oakland Baptist Church in Warner Robins. He was a Shriner and also a 32nd Degree Mason with the Mickey Fuller Lodge in Macon, Georgia. He was a devoted husband, loving father and granddad.
A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Oakland Heights Baptist Church with Rev. James Dekoker and John Sinquefield officiating, the body will lie in state from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Owen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital.
Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave online condolences for the family. Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA is honored to serve the Phillips family.
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