John Steven Phillips, age 66, Joplin, died on Friday, October 7, 2016 due to liver disease. He was called to be with his Lord early Friday morning at Freeman West Hospital with his wife, Sherrie and family at his side.
John was born March 6, 1950 in Springfield, Missouri, son of the late John Glen Phillips and Mira Louis Phillips. He lived most of the life in Springfield where he graduated from Parkview High School before serving his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era. He was a Spec 5 Sgt as a helicopter pilot, and worked with high telephone wire while in Vietnam.
John and his wife, Sherrie, have known each other since they were 14 years old and going to school together. John married Sherrie Carnahan on October 12, 1971 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and the couple moved to Joplin in 1972. He worked for Eagle Picher while attending Missouri Southern State University where he received his degree in business. He then became the district manager for Arby's for 8 years, then worked as a plant manager with Ozark Salad, and Sara Lee. He then began his career as a Master Electrician, and worked for Allen Electric for 18 years before beginning his own business with his wife, J & S Electric in Joplin. John was always known for his good heart and kind nature, he was such a quiet gentle man, and loved by all.
John loved animals, and would save any strays that came along. He also enjoyed his motorcycle, shooting pistols, and spending time with his friends from the Elks Club, going to the lake, working in his yard, especially growing his tomatoes, and playing FREECELL on his computer. John was a member of the Joplin Elks, and the IBEW Local #95.
He is survived by his wife, Sherrie Carnahan Phillips; son, Jon Cory Phillips of Nampa, Idaho, daughter, Chrissy Phillips of Nampa; brother, Jim Phillips (Claire) of Joplin; sister, Claire Wilson of Dana Point, California; seven grandchildren, Dever White (Amy) of Maryland, Kody White of Springfield, Jon Oakley Phillips, Japan, serving in the U.S. Navy, Cage Phillips, Nampa, Alivia Jo Phillips of Nampa, Cayden Phillips also of Nampa; great-grandsons, Sam and Teddy White; niece Lisa and Gab Gary; John's animals, Ling Ti, Tally, Sassy, and Sammy.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary with Pastor B.A. Austin officiating. Interment will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield, Missouri.
The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Joplin Humane Society on North Main.
John was a great guy always good natured and helpful, and pretty smart too, I always enjoyed hanging with John, Jim, Dave, Norm and Robert, maybe shootin darts at Jim's or out in the Chats shootin our guns,missyou all good memories, good times...Kurt
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