Jeffery Lanier Philbrook

Jeffery Lanier Philbrook, aged 74, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away on 20 January 2024 after a decades-long struggle with diabetes and resulting ailments. He ultimately developed pancreatic cancer and passed away from the associated complications.

Jeffery was born on 18 July 1949 to Dorothy Louise (Lanier) Philbrook and Clarence Edward Philbrook in Durham, North Carolina. After attending high school at both Chapel Hill High School and Randolph-Macon Military Academy and graduating in 1968, he went on to study pre-engineering at Wingate College. He became a Christian at Wingate and dropped out to work as a mechanic, Butler’s Garage being the first. On the side, Jeff attended Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (1969?), establishing lifelong friendships. He later attended Columbia Bible College, encouraged by those relationships. He had a goal of working as an aviation mechanic with Jungle Aviation Fellowship, as support for Wycliffe Bible Translators. While this didn't come to fruition, he scored remarkably high on their skills test “one if the highest ever”.

In 1981, Jeff met Nancy Kerns Philbrook in Chapel Hill via mutual friends at the local church, and they married in April 1978, trading the stable life in Chapel Hill for an adventure of long-term cross-country travel, funded by driving a cargo truck for North American Van Lines. Due to Nancy’s family needs, in 1993 they settled in Long Beach, California where Nancy grew up, and went on to have one child, Brian Philbrook.

Jeff spent his time loving the Lord, Jesus Christ, and sharing His love with others. When not doing that, he spent most of his time loving his wife and son and working on anything mechanical. Whether trucks, cars, photography, or guns, if it had moving parts, he was very interested in how it worked, and to show others how it worked. Along the way, he ate many Reese Cups, which were his snack of choice.

Jeff was a complex, sometimes unconventional man who did not hesitate to share his opinion, and to do so honestly. He strove to help those in need, even to the extreme of being kidnapped and shot in the head by hitchhiking Black Panthers in North Carolina, while sharing with them the forgiveness that Jesus could provide, despite their actions. He wanted community for everyone, and wanted everyone to feel included. Throughout his life he loved his Father in heaven and loved his family.

Jeff is survived by Nancy and Brian. The remains of his earthly body will be laid to rest alongside his mother and father in Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery. There will be a memorial service held Saturday, February 10th, 10am at Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Westminster, CA. In lieu of flowers or donations to the family, donations should be made to Covenant Christian Academy via check (10101 Cunningham Ave. Westminster, CA 92683) with “Jeff Philbrook” in the memo, or via Zelle to [email protected] with “Jeff Philbrook” in the memo/notes.