Michael Curtiss Phillips

He was born in Columbia, MO on February 20, 1950, and raised by Elmo and Hilma Phillips with a watchful eye from his three older sisters Lovella, Mary and Jeanne. Michael graduated from Hickman High School in 1968 where he played football and ran track. He attended Southwest Missouri State University from 1968 through 1972.

He was married to Jean Phillips on November 16, 1991, and loved, treasured and cared for her for over 33 years. The highlights of their time together included traveling, watching the St. Louis Cardinals play ball, spending time with their kids, and welcoming grandchildren into their home.

Michael spent most of his career working at Boone Hospital Center and was incredibly proud of his ascension from operating room technician to cardiovascular perfusionist in the late 1970s. He was certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion and was a founding partner of Spectrum Life Support and owner of Missouri Perfusion Services. Both businesses provided services to heart programs across Central Missouri. Michael was a founding member of The Missouri Perfusion Society and served on their Board of Directors from 1995-99. He also served as Chairperson for the Missouri Advisory Commission for Clinical Perfusionist.

Michael was most proud of his instrumental role in the successful push for perfusionist licensure in the state of Missouri, but he also took great pride in caring for patients and their families during their most difficult times. He treasured his memories working alongside the heart team at Boone Hospital Center, as well as being part of the perfusion community for over 40 years.

He had a passion for playing softball and some of his fondest memories were playing ball at Rainbow Softball Center in Columbia, Missouri where he was a proud member of the Boone softball team from 1989 until 2022. He was most proud of the years he played alongside his son Graham Phillips, and he loved having family in the stands cheering for him. Perhaps what he looked forward to most was the camaraderie after the games while tailgating in the parking lot.

He was a lifelong fitness fanatic which led him in multiple directions over the years including playing indoor volleyball, lifting weights, playing golf and then, later in life, walking throughout the Highlands.

In recent years, he was happiest when he was planting flowers and plants around his house and taking the time to enjoy them as they bloomed and grew. He had a green thumb and loved to show off how his work took off from spring into summer.

His greatest life’s work was his family. He will be greatly missed by his wife Jean Phillips, son Graham Phillips (Sally), daughter Rachel Walker (Dan), stepson Troy Shireman, stepdaughter Nicole (Nikki) Englert (Rob) and stepdaughter Brooke Shireman; his grandchildren Savannah Childs (Aidan), Scarlett Phillips, Nolan Walker, Austin Walker, Reece Englert and Alexa Englert; great-grandchildren Zeppelin Childs and Daisy Childs; and his sister Mary Scaggs.

Michael was preceded in death by his father Elmo Phillips, his mother Hilma Phillips, his sister Lovella (Doodle) Mauer and his sister Jeanne Harris.

A gathering of friends will begin at 10:00 AM with a celebration of life scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Forum Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to one of the following organizations that were most meaningful to Michael. The Cardiac Fund at the Boone Hospital Foundation, 1600 E. Broadway, Box 88, Columbia, MO 65201, The Glioblastoma Research Organization at https://fundraise.gbmresearch.org/inhonorofmike or Rainbow Softball Center with checks payable to Columbia Parks and Recreation Fund at City of Columbia Parks & Recreation PO Box 6015 Columbia, MO 65205 with “Columbia Parks and Recreation Rainbow Softball Center, in honor of Michael Phillips” on the Memo line.