Harold Milton Phillips

Harold (aka PHIL), was born on April 19, 1948 to Mr. Harold M. Pritchard, Sr. and Miss Betty J. Tonkin in San Jose, California.

Harold was born in California but spent most of his young adult life living in El Paso with his parents and siblings. Phil loved horses and spent a lot of time at the stables being a Cowboy. He loved animals and adventure. He always loved making people laugh with his wild, silly demeanor and character. After receiving his high school diploma from the Army and Navy Academy Adult High School Division in Carlsbad, CA and completing military testing courses with the United States Armed Forces Institute in Madison, WI, he was enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as Bupersman during the Vietnam wartime with honors from 1968 to 1972.

Phil married his first love and wife, Michelle Williams in 1970 and they had two daughters, Tammy and Juli.

After serving the U.S. Navy, Phil completed several courses in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating at the Commercial Trades Institute in Chicago, IL in 1973. He went on to study Mechanical Engineering and attained his Associates degree in Applied Science in 1978 at the El Paso Community College in El Paso, Texas. Phil’s honorable service with the U.S. Navy along with his completed educational courses and achievements led him to employ with the U.S. Army Air Defense Center and Fort Bliss Utilities Division in El Paso, TX for over 10 years.

Phil married his second wife and love of his life, Sandra J Simmons in 1982. Together they had one child, Justin Phillips along with two of Sandy’s children from previous marriages, Amy Hudgens and Michael Andrew Racellis.

Phil continued his civil service engineering line of work in El Paso, TX with the Beaumont Army Medical Center and with the Sierra Medical Center for over 20 years.

Phil’s various jobs included, working as a Heating Equipment Mechanic, Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic, and Mechanical Engineer. He retired from the Civil Service in 2003 and moved his family to Roswell, NM, where he spent many good retired years despite his heart condition. He was stubborn, hard-headed and intense at times, however, his dedication and hard work were always centered on his family and his drive to succeed.

Throughout his living years, Phil’s very full life and blended family took on many happy moments, memories and adventures. Phil was very loved by his family and his friends. He had several long-lasting friendships that he considered family. He loved his family, friends, the Lord, motorcycles, cars, trucks, gaming, nature, animals and music. Phil supported veteran groups, numerous charities and causes for animals, children and Christians throughout his life. He was an all-around man of knowledge. He knew the Bible well, could fix just about anything, and was always willing to help anyone in need.

Phil was preceded in death by his first wife, Michelle, his second wife, Sandy, his daughter, Amy and his parents, Betty and Larry Phillips. He is survived by his children, Tammy Phillips, Juli Darnell, Justin Phillips and Mike Andrew Racellis, his 8 grand- children, his sisters Margie Rigsby and Bonnie Rhoades, his brother James Pritchard, Sr., Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, many loving friends and his old cat Lucy.

A privately held memorial service honoring Phil’s life and military service will be held with Phil’s immediate family and close friends in the near future. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to a military veteran support organization of choice in honor of Phil and other brave military service members who served our great country.