Philip M. Hazelton, 74, died suddenly on March 27, 2015. Born January 8, 1941 in Lancaster, Ohio to the late Perrin and Virginia Hazelton. Survived by his wife, Judy; children, Peter (Karen) Hazelton, Andrew (Yuka) Hazelton, Sara (Colin) Barbera, Marcus (Mira) Patterson, and Ryan (Kelli) Patterson; grandchildren, Artie, Sean, Maeve, Ethan, Cass, Charlie, Sam, Kate, Lav, and Lucy; brothers, Jon (Marjorie) Hazelton and Richard (Anne) Hazelton. Each congregation that he served showed remarkable growth in membership, mission, and programs, along with renovation and expansion of church facilities. But he is best remembered for his ability to relate Scripture to everyday life through his sermons. He balanced the sacred with his sense of humor, which made him approachable and caring. He taught several generations of his children, grandchildren, neighborhood kids, and church youth group members how to play football, charades, capture-the-flag, board games, and other aspects of the art of passing the time with people you love. As Phil transitioned into retirement, he and his wife traveled the world, spent ample time visiting grandchildren, reunited with old friends for golf, and read books and attended the cinema avidly. He remained active in the church community and volunteered regularly at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Phil received his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1963. He received his master and doctorate degrees in ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, with continuing studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1967. Phil began his ministerial life as Youth Minister, Havenwood Presbyterian Church in suburban Baltimore, Maryland. He served as Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Bluffton, Indiana from 1969 to 1985. He led community activities in mental health, city parks, Head Start, the arts, and youth sports. He was recognized as Indiana's Outstanding Young Religious Leader in 1975. He then served as Senior Pastor, Orchard Lake Community Church (Presbyterian) in suburban Detroit from 1985 to 1994. He helped establish a drug abuse program, worked with families of alcoholics, led community service through soup kitchens, and promoted housing for the homeless, and was recognized by the legislature with the Michigan Minuteman Award. From 1994 until his 2007 retirement, Phil served as Senior Pastor, Worthington Presbyterian Church, Worthington, Ohio. He guided the church through a successful renovation and expansion of the church structure. The church dedicated The Philip M. Hazelton Fellowship Hall in his honor. The Columbus Dispatch chose him as one of the seven "Outstanding Preachers" of metropolitan Columbus in 2007.
He was the founder of the Rev. Dr. Philip Hazelton AIDS/HIV Centre in South Africa. He published two books that featured not only his spiritual and biblical commentary but also his celebrated drawings. Friends may call 6-8 pm Monday and 1-4 pm Tuesday at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 North High St, (1/2 Mile South of I- 270). Memorial Service will be held 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Worthington Presbyterian Church, 773 High Street, Worthington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Worthington Presbyterian Church Capital Debt Retirement Fund, 773 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. TO share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.
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