Philip Larry McEwen

Philip Larry McEwen, aka "Hollywood", 85, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully Friday, January 26th, 2024 at Memorial Hospital Jacksonville surrounded by family. Philip was born on February 12,1938 in Matoaca, Virginia to Samuel Moody McEwen and Myrtle Bolling Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Myrtle McEwen; stepmother, Rachel McEwen; and brothers Samuel William McEwen, III and David T. McEwen. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Marilyn McEwen; daughters Christy Elizabeth Thornton McEwen and Alison Holt McEwen Capling (Kenneth Capling); three grandchildren Kiley Jane Capling, Emma Bourgoin Leary and Christian Philip Robert Capling; Brother Charles N. McEwen; sisters in law, Carolyn McEwen, Nancy McEwen, Terry Ann Clasby and Shirley Cook. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Philip graduated from Petersburg High School in 1956. He served in the Army Reserves and was employed by the FBI in Washington DC working in the fingerprinting department. He then graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology, prior to starting a fruitful 36 year career with NCR (National Cash Register.) He undertook many roles during his time at NCR including product development and marketing. He was a part of the development team that brought scanning bar codes into retail stores in the 1970's as well as participating on the development team for self checkout near the turn of the century. Philip also headed the team that customized software, eventually retiring February 29, 2000.

His true passion in life was being outdoors. As a young child, he enjoyed time with his brothers and friends on the bank of the Appomattox River in Virginia, and had many tales to tell. He continued his love of the Appomattox River taking family vacations on what we all called "Uncle Sam's River." He enjoyed canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, sailing and traveling the US and abroad. Phil belonged to many clubs including St. Johns Riverkeepers, Senior Cycling, Suwannee Bicycle Club, The Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy and many others. Other passions included researching genealogy and serving as his family historian.

Philip was a loving husband, father and Pop Pop who will be missed greatly.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all of the medical staff at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville for the excellent care he received over the years and to all of the staff who cared for him at Memorial Hospital in his final hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made in memory of Philip Larry McEwen to the Matoaca United Methodist Church Men's Stew Group Memorial Fund 6301 River Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803.

A Celebration of Philip's life will be held June 2024 in South Chesterfield, Virginia.