John A Phillips

John A. Phillips was born on September 14, 1924 in Providence Rhode Island to parents Alice (maiden name Alford) and Charles Phillips. He grew up on a farm in New Hampshire, of which he spoke fondly in later life. He was the youngest of three children and was the only one surviving into the present, his siblings being Charles and Ruth.

He attended school both in New Hampshire and St. Petersburg, Florida, spending his junior and sophomore years at St. Petersburg High School. He returned to New Hampshire for his Senior Year, where he graduated in 1942. After graduating and according to his father’s wishes he registered for college at the University of New Hampshire in December of 1942. While on campus he noticed a recruiter and he signed up for active duty. His original choice was the Navy, of which he often noted ‘they wouldn’t take me because of my glasses, so I got the Army – they’ll take anyone.’

He served in the Army Air Corps from late 1942 until 1945, when he was honorably discharged. The bulk of his WWII service was spent in support of aircraft in the China-Burma-India Theatre. His medals from WWII include: Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal, APTO Medal (Asian-Pacific Theatre of Operations), ATO Medal (American Theatre of Operations), WWII Victory Medal. Tour of Duty in WWII: 2 years, 11 months, 24 days.

He re-enlisted in 1946 and was involved in the Berlin Air Lift; during his time overseas he met and was married to his first wife, Eva Hirst from Manchester, England. Over the course of the next six years Eva gave birth to a daughter, Ann Marie, in July of 1950, a son, John, in January of 1953 and a daughter, Debbie, in May of 1956.

He retired from the Air Force in 1964, after twenty years of active duty.

After retiring he resumed college and obtained his Bachelor and then Master’s degrees at USF.

He taught Biology, Math and Science in Pinellas County Schools until his retirement in 1988, after 20 years of teaching.

After his wife Eva passed away in 1993 he met and was married to Ida Phillips on August 7th 1994. They remained very happily married until her passing in April of 2011. His two stepdaughters from his marriage with Ida are Shirley Fagle and Darlene Bliven.

Prior to his passing in May of this year he was the constant companion of Betty Major, who passed away in April of this year.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Atria Evergreen Woods Adult Living Facility 7080 Evergreen Woods Trail, Spring Hill, FL 34608. The service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at 3pm, with Reverend Kaaren Nesmith Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Spring Hill officiating. A Reception will follow the service at the facility. John’s cremated remains will be interred at Florida Memorial Gardens privately at a later date.