James Wesley Phillips

James ‘Jim’ Wesley Phillips, 66, of Morton, passed away suddenly, while clam digging on the coast with his loving wife, Sharon “Kay”, on Monday, April 29, 2013. Clam digging was one of Jim and Kay’s favorite activities. Jim was born on April 7, 1947, to Pete and Myrtle Phillips, in Morton, WA. He attended White Pass High School, Randle, WA. Jim married the love of his life, Sharon Kay White, on July 4, 1977 in Reno, NV. Jim worked as a truck driver at the Tubafor Lumber Mill, in Morton, for 40 years, until his retirement in 2009.

Jim had over one million miles on his logging truck at the time of retirement. In honor of his service and dedication to the Tubafor Mill, Jims’ last Kenworth was turned into a water truck and is still in service today. Jim was too restless to fully retire, so he took a job with Van Cleve Ford and continued to drive providing vehicle and parts transportation. The open road held a special place in Jim’s heart.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, and going fishing, hunting, clam digging, camping, horseback riding, raising cattle, and buying cattle at the Sale Barn, attending his grandkids sporting events, traveling and cutting wood. He was an active member in the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No 1144, the Lumber & Saw Mill Union, and the Horseman’s Club. Jim was one in a million; he will be forever loved and truly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kay, children, Jimmy Joe (Lana) Phillips of Covington, WA, Allen (Mindy) Eastman of Mossyrock, WA, Tammy Jo Phillips Windsor of San Antonio, TX, Brenda (Neil) Seigworth of Tacoma, WA Brian Phillips of Dalles, OR, and Jason (Lea) Eastman of Hillsboro, OR, sisters, Carolyn Phillips and Sandy (Steve) Anderson, and, Gib ‘Little Brother’ Niemi, grandchildren, Adrian Oler, Montana Eastman, Shelby Windsor, Kyndal Phillips, Alex Phillips, Emilee Eastman, and Alivia Eastman, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle Hunt and Pete Phillips, step brother, Gordon Phillips, and grandsons, James Oler, and Kyle Carbaugh.

A graveside memorial service will be today at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Rainey Valley Cemetery, Glenoma, with a potluck following at the Randle Fire Hall. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Mortuary Service, Morton.