Thomas L. Phillips

Thomas L. Phillips passed away on December 14, 2023, at the age of 86. Tom was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on July 29, 1937. After high school, Tom headed to Bloomington to attend Indiana University. This proud Hoosier graduated in 1959. After college, Tom served in the United States Army.

In the spring of 1960, Tom met his future wife, Sue Ann Rankin, on a blind date and they were married three years later. Tom and Sue began their lives together in Indianapolis where Tom worked for RCA. In 1974, Tom and Sue headed south to Nashville, Tennessee, where Tom worked in sales/marketing for the remainder of his career and retired as a sales executive for the Nashville Predators.

PawPaw Tom loved sports. He was proud to be a personal friend to Bob Knight and supported his alma mater through the good and the bad. Tom was an avid golfer spending many weekend afternoons on Ravenwood Golf Course. However, he played his favorite golf matches in Saint Andrews, Scotland.

Tom leaves behind the love of his life, Sue. They were married for sixty years. Additionally, he is survived by his daughters Tammy (Rich) Shipley, Lori (Dan) Trexler, and grandchildren Hank, Jake, Carson, Bailey, and Hannah. Tom was endlessly proud of his grandchildren, expressing his support through attendance at countless games, meets, and performances. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas P. and Anna Louise Phillips.

Tom loved his family beyond measure. He was a member of Hermitage United Methodist Church for fifty-two years. “Love God. Love America” and “May the peace of Christ be with you” were a couple of his favorite departing remarks.

There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends on Sunday, December 17, from 2pm – 4pm and on Monday, December 18, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am at Hermitage Funeral Home, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 10:00am in the Tulip Grove Room at the funeral home. Following the service, Tom will be laid to rest in the Garden of Memories Mausoleum I at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.Serving as pallbearers Hank Hendrix,Jake Hendrix, Carson Shipley, Rich Shipley, Dan Trexler and Todd Grove.Honorary Pallbearer Rick Smith. The family will be wearing red as a nod to the Indiana Cream and Crimson, Tom’s alma mater. Feel free to join us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hermitage United Methodist Church, 205 Belinda Drive, Hermitage, TN or to Alive Hospice (https://www.alivehospice.org/get-involved/give/). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Phillips family by selecting “Add a Memory” at the bottom of this page.