Bobby Ray Phillips

Bobby Ray Phillips, Sr. 82, passed peacefully in his sleep in San Bernardino, CA on July 19, 2016 with his loving wife of 63 years, Beverly by his side. He was met at Heaven’s gate by his beloved daughter, Robyn Bliven, who passed away in 2005.

Bob was born in Smithville, Oklahoma to Walter and Oley (Toon) Phillips on October 23, 1933. He was raised with two brothers and a sister who he loved dearly: Boyd, Floyd, and Mebeline.

After high school, Bob moved west to California and enlisted in the Air Force. Most of his immediate family joined him in California when he decided to plant roots there after he met his sweetheart, Beverly when he patronized her family’s grocery store. Bob and Bev were married in 1953 in San Bernardino, and were blessed with their first son, Bobby, Jr. in 1954. Soon after, their daughter Debby was born in 1955, followed by Tammy in 1958, Mark in 1961 and Robyn in 1962. He honorably served with the US Air Force during the Korean War and after his discharge he earned an Associate’s degree from San Bernardino Valley College. He retired from United States Postal Service at the young age of 36 due to heart complications. He spent the rest of his life as a devoted husband and doting grandfather. He loved spending his free time at the casino on penny slots and was notorious for only opening greeting cards to see if there was spending money inside. He was witty and had funny nicknames for all of his loved ones and when it was time to go, he would say “toot” (a shortened version of toodleloo.) He named three consecutive family pets Dusty and he and Dusty spent many hours on the patio taking in the quiet while he smoked his favorite Salem 100’s. He liked to label things with sharpie markers and would rubber band all of his important documents together in piles. He enjoyed telling stories about his life growing up in Smithville, OK and his time in the Airforce, where he once got in trouble for refusing to stand in the direct sunlight because there was shade a few feet away. He was practical and simple but could charm anyone with his smile.

Bob is survived his wife, Beverly; his children, Bobby and wife, Linda, Debby, Tammy, Mark and wife, Sharon; grandchildren: Erica and Bryan, Bobby III and wife, Christian, Erica and husband, Ric, Kenny and wife, Celeste, Jay, Deanna and husband, Nic, Andy and wife, Christina, Victoria, Paige, Cassie and Shelby; great grandchildren, Gabi, Rico, Felicia, Alexia, Kolton, Kailey, Adelyn, Abigail, Ava, Elijah, Avonlea and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery, 570 East Highland Ave, San Bernardino.