Julie K. "Jul" (McNamara) Phillips

Julie K. “Jul” (McNamara) Phillips, 57, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025. Born September 13, 1968, in Paulding, Ohio, she grew up in Payne, Ohio, and was a graduate of Wayne Trace Jr/Sr High School where she was a cheerleader and excelled in gymnastics. Many of her fondest childhood memories were spent on Ball Lake where she enjoyed swimming, collecting shells, and most of all cane fishing with her grandmother.

After graduation, she moved to Fort Wayne and began working at Sears Telecatalog. Upon their closure, she proved successful in collections with North American Van Lines, the Fort Wayne Collections Bureau, and Three Rivers FCU. It was during this time in her life that she transitioned into a professional career and became an accomplished businesswoman.

On March 1, 2003, she married her husband, the late Jerry “Kent” Phillips, and together they moved to Kailua, Hawaii. While there, she found great joy in working with animals. She was employed with Feather and Fur Animal Hospital and had her own pet-sitting business. Together, her and her husband enjoyed hiking, sightseeing, and spending time at the beach.

In 2018, Jul and Kent moved back to Fort Wayne to be closer to family. They delighted in the joy of seeing their grandchildren, spending time with their children, and enjoying the holidays together, especially Christmas. She prided herself on providing the utmost care to her elderly parents; spending quality time with them and making sure all their needs were met.

Jul was jovial, high-spirited, and vibrant; she loved socializing with all people. She was open-minded and had the ability to always make others feel special. She enjoyed shopping, dining out with friends and family, traveling and watching movies. Her travels took her to Florida, New Mexico, and most recently Texas; she was always planning her next adventure. She relished in the simple pleasures of life such as listening to music of all genres, nature hiking, and watching/listening to her birds. She loved a nice cup of coffee, a well-scented candle, a good laugh, and a warm conversation. She doted on her pets and spoiled them beyond measure.

Above all, her greatest accomplishment was becoming a mom. She provided purpose, guidance, and unconditional love to all of her children and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her parents, Randy and Linda (Baumert) McNamara of Payne; daughter, Leah Fulton of Fort Wayne; sons, Zac (Rosemary) Phillips of New Haven, Indiana and Tyler (Kelli) Phillips of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Wyatt, Nina, Devyn, Duke, Stella, Dolan, and Hank; brother, Todd (Barb) McNamara of Fort Wayne; sister, Amy (Andrew) Siu of Hopkins, South Carolina; beloved partner, Kevin Shull of Churubusco, Indiana; lifelong best friend, Lisa (Darrell Hiberd) Kramerick of Keller, Texas; niece, Emma (Daniel Savaiano) Fraher of Ellenton, Florida; nephews, Brad McNamara of Ramstein, Germany, Derek (Kelly) McNamara of Petersburg, Virginia, and Tyler (Nadia) Fraher of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; aunts, Linda Baumert of Antwerp, Ohio and Jeanette Baumert of Fort Wayne; several cousins; and a host of friends.

She was also preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Mildred McNamara; maternal grandparents, Betty (Esten) Fortney and Chuck Baumert; mother-in-law, Martha Phillips; infant niece, Katelyn Hope Fraher; uncles, Carl Baumert and Jack Baumert; many cousins; and her beloved pets, Harry, Stanley, and Zeke.

Per Jul’s request, there are no services.

Memorials in her name may be made to Ruff House, Fort Wayne

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services - Mungovan Chapel are caring for arrangements. Condolences and memories of Jul can be left online at www.advantagemungovan.com