Phyllis Lee Fugit, 78, a prominent figure in Democrat Party politics and long-time resident of Columbia, MO, passed away at 5:58 AM Wednesday, October 25, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Visitation (4:00 - 6:00 pm) and funeral (6:00 pm) service will be held Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65202. Longtime friend and former Columbia Mayor Mary Anne McCollum and former Missouri state Rep. Stephen Webber will share remembrances during the service.
Phyllis was born on July 11, 1945, in Mexico, MO the daughter of Raymond Elmo and Alberta Mae (Day) Hoover. She was united in marriage to Olin E. Fugit, Jr. on October 31, 1964.
Survivors include her son, Darin Wayne Fugit, and daughter-in-law, Misha T Fugit, of the home; two grandsons, Charles Hunter Fugit and Carter Lee Fugit of Columbia, MO; two brothers, Charles Edward Hoover and wife Kathy and Roger Hoover and wife Connie, all of Vandalia, MO; two sisters-in-law, Donna Hoover of Vandalia, and Diana Hoover of Bowling Green, MO; two nephews, Mike Hoover and Nathan Hoover; three nieces, Dea Hoover, Pam Perkins and Michelle Benskin; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Fugit was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Olin E. Fugit, Jr., and two brothers, Don Hoover and Monte Hoover.
Phyllis graduated from Van-Far High School in 1963 and attended classes at Columbia College. In 1967 she began working for the City of Columbia where she worked for almost 30 years before retiring. She spent a number of those years in the city's Finance Department.
Phyllis became a respected leader in the Democratic Party. She began by working on Democrat Gov. Warren Hearnes’ campaign in the 1960s and continued calling voters, selling buttons, putting out signs, and raising money for candidates for the next 50 years. Over the years, she was elected numerous times as Committeewoman and for eight years served as Chair of the Boone County Democratic Central Committee. She was a member and chair of the Muleskinners, a Democratic club. In 2012 Phyllis and Olin received the Margaret Morgett Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boone County Muleskinners for their dedicated service to the organization.
As a dedicated public servant, Phyllis served her community in many ways. Phyllis was a board member of the United Way. She chaired the Columbia Municipal Employees’ Credit Union Board (now Columbia Credit Union) and also served as Director of the Boone County Fire Protection District Board. Phyllis worked as an election judge in Boone County for many years.
Away from work, Phyllis enjoyed watching the Missouri Tigers, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Cardinals, visiting with friends, eating at Columbia's best restaurants, enjoying games of chance at casinos, and painting. When Phyllis moved recently, we discovered several oil paintings Phyllis created in the 1970s. She and Olin treasured their time at their "cabin" at the Lake of the Ozarks, but campaign season duties often intervened in even numbered years.
Phyllis was a powerful force in local politics though she never ran for higher office. She was a positive influence in the lives of candidates, her co-workers, and citizens all over Boone County. Her dedication was unmatched, her ethics were unquestioned, and her love for friends and family was tremendous. She will be missed by many.
If in lieu of flowers you would like to make a contribution, please honor Phyllis by donating to: Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group c/o Patsy Dalton 1311 Vintage Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
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