Samuel H. Phillips Jr.

Sam H. Phillips, Jr., 76, of Van Buren, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at his home. He was born April 23, 1943 in Birmingham, AL to the late Samuel and Mitylene Phillips. He was a graduate of Ole Miss, and served in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict, and received numerous Honors and Designations, Master Aviator, The Silver Star, a Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Air Medal to name a few. He was a retired co-owner of PFP Life Insurance Company in Fort Smith, and was a member of the American Legion Post 31, the Military Hall of Fame, the Quiet Birdmen, the Military Officer’s Association of America (MOAA), past President of the United Way of Fort Smith, former Board Member of Sparks Hospital, Life Member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) and the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association (CHPA), a member of the UAMS Chancellor Circle and the UAMS Foundation Fund Board.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy Phillips of the home; a daughter, Anna Dennis and husband Zachary of North Little Rock; a son, Bowron Phillips of Texarkana; two stepsons, Jim Bob Gregory and wife Amber of Fort Smith, and Charley Gregory of Van Buren; three sisters, Caroline Kent of Judsonia, AR, Stuart Phillips of Austin, TX, and Mitylene Mahar of Nacogdoches, TX; and five grandchildren, Avery Dennis, Taggart Dennis, Oliver Dennis, Lindsey Gregory, and Taylor Gregory.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2019 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery with Military Honors, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Tollie Adkins, Jr., Keith Greene, Robert Johnson, John Hendricks, Jesse Lewis, and Roger Rickard. Honorary bearers will be Board Members of the Military Hall of Fame, Board Members of the Quiet Birdmen, Board Members of the Military Officer’s Association, and Members of the American Legion Post 31.

The family will visit with friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.

Memorial contributions may be made to UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at www.cancer.uams.edu or American Legion Post 31, 4903 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith, AR 72904.