Dewey Joe Phillips

Dr. Dewey Joe Phillips of Columbia, Missouri, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 31, 2023. The visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia, Missouri. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, at First Baptist Church of Columbia, Mo. The internment will be at Stoutland Cemetery in Stoutland, Missouri following the funeral services.

Dr. Phillips was born March 15, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Kansas, the son of Dewey and Thelma Phillips. He was united in marriage in September of 1956 to the first love of his life, Vada Rose Dinwiddie, of Springfield Missouri. They remained together until her untimely passing in May of 1977. Joe was united with the other love of his life, Veralee B. Hardin of Columbia, Missouri, in June of 1980 and they remained by each other’s side until Veralee’s death in November of 2022.

Joe is survived by his two sons, Drew Phillips (Belinda) of Linn Creek, Mo, and Brett Phillips (Sally) of Linn, Mo.; four sisters: Carol Sue Miller and Marilyn Kay Baugh of Joplin Mo.,Shirley Hicks of Clinton, Mo., and Judy Burns of Climax Springs Mo.; four grandchildren: Dylan Phillips of St. Louis, Mo., Duncan Phillips of St. Louis, Mo., and Vada and Hayden Phillips of Linn, Mo.; one step grandson: James Ashby (Christina) of LIberty, Mo., and three great grandchildren: Duke Phillips, Jensen Stocks, and Ember Ashby.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Dewey and Thelma Phillips, his first wife Vada Rose Phillips, his second wife Veralee B. Hardin Phillips, two brothers Frank Phillips and Charles Phillips, and two sisters Permelia Muffi and Gedraldine Gilpin. Joe graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1950. He attended Joplin Junior College on an athletic scholarship for football, basketball and track and field. In 1953 he attended Southwest Missouri State College, now Missouri State University, on an athletic scholarship for football and track and field. He graduated from SMS in 1956 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with emphasis areas of social studies and physical education. Joe worked as a teacher and coach while also working to continue his education. He earned multiple graduate degrees and eventually earned his Ph. D. in School Administration and Curriculum and Instruction in 1971 from the University of Tulsa. Joe continued to pursue his passion for working with kids and worked as a teacher, coach, and eventually school administrator for over thirty years. He served as Dean of the College of Education at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Mo., and as superintendent of Schools for Osage County R - II Schools in Linn, Mo., and Callaway County R-III Schools in New Bloomfield, Mo in a distinguished career in education.

Joe served his country as a member of the Missouri National Guard for thirty-three years, 1950 - 1983. Joe served with armory battalions in his early years in the Guard, eventually being named Company Commander of MOARNG in Pierce City, Mo., after he was promoted to the rank of Captain. In 1973 he was assigned to the 35th Engineer Brigade Combat Corps at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Mo, and it was during his stint with the army corps of engineers that he achieved the rank of Major in 1973. Joe finished his tenure with the Guard as an instructor with the Missouri Army Officer Candidate School.

Joe was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, Mo. He served on many civic organizations, was a member and one time president of the Missouri Military Officers Association, and is a recipient of the esteemed University of Missouri “Friends of the College of Education” award with his late wife Veralee.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com