Gregory Eugene Phillips

Gregory Eugene Phillips, age 79, of Worthington, passed away on October 8, 2025. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1946 and was adopted by Clarence and Marcella Phillips. Greg grew up in Mentor, Ohio and graduated from Mentor High School. He graduated from Denison University and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He continued his education at The Ohio State University where he obtained his Master’s degree. Greg loved being a teacher and a coach. He taught Social Studies at Perry Middle School in Worthington, Ohio throughout his 35+ year career. He was a basketball and track coach at Perry Middle School, a basketball coach at Worthington High School, and finished his coaching career at Westerville North High School. He managed the Worthington Ski Club program for many years and spent his summers managing the Worthington Hills Country Club pool & tennis club for approximately 20 years. To say he was an icon in Worthington is an understatement. His students & athletes became his friends in their adult years and many kept in touch regularly.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lori Phillips; the love of his life. They taught together for many years and were inseparable. They spent Christmas & Spring breaks, as well as much of their summers, traveling the world and eventually lived part time in Naples, Fl. They loved Cleveland’s professional sports teams and often attended baseball and football games. They loved music of all genres and went to concerts and festivals throughout their entire marriage. Greg is survived by his children Gennifer Phillips, Michael Phillips, Alana Veach, Chad (Samantha) Fell and Zakary (Yolanda) Phillips; grandchildren, Breanna, Victoria, Alexa, Ethan, Olivia, and Georgina.

Greg loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports and music. His grandchildren range in age from 2 years old to 25 years old, so he had many years to enjoy being their Papa. He is known for his many sayings like: “It’s All About the Ride” and “Party On!” (there is a brick dedicated to Greg and Lori at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that says “Party On!”) He went sky diving for his 70th birthday and took a 3-4 week trip Around the World when he was 71. There are too many accomplishments & experiences to include them all. He truly had a zest for life and wanted to live life to the fullest. Carpe Diem!

Details for Greg’s Celebration of Life will be posted here and Facebook in the near future.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in Greg’s memory to Let the Children Play: The Greg and Lori Phillips Foundation. The Columbus Foundation 1234 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 or www.letthechildrenplay.me Visit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences to the family.