John Edward Phillips Jr.

There are certain people who just light up a room - and the rest of us can’t help but gravitate to the joy and kindness they radiate. John Phillips was one of those people. John brought laughter and love into every room, conversation and relationship he entered.

He had a lifelong mischievous sense of humor, and no one could lead a person down the primrose path like John. He loved a good joke and a good story, and he told them all with a twinkle in his eye and a sly grin on his face. He loved to spin yarns to his children and grandchildren and had quite a successful run of it - until eventually they all figured out his “tell” and realized that when dad/grandpa’s nostrils started to flare - he was pulling your leg.

Born April 24, 1940, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, John married the love of his life, his Dover girl Joan, and they had three children Cathy, John “JP,” and Mark. John adored his children and their spouses Denis, Karen and Kelly; and he was an engaged, supportive and enthusiastic grandpa to his six grandchildren Claire, Eleanor, Johnnie, Sophie, Jack and Sami. But his greatest love was for his wife Joanie, who was always by his side for more than 64 years.

John graduated from The Ohio State University in 1964 with a degree in finance, and was an avid, lifelong fan of Buckeye football. His career as a financial executive took him to several states throughout the years and in 1979, John and Joan moved their family from Ohio to California and lived there for almost 40 years before moving to Dallas in 2018 to a retirement community closer to their daughter.

John and his wife loved their years in California. He had several great buddies there, who, after retiring, loved to go for long car rides together all over the beautiful Bay Area and stop for lunch at fun roadside restaurants.

He and Joan also loved their condo at Maui Kaanapali Villas, near Lahaina, where they stayed several months every year for 20 years. John was the treasurer on the condo board for many years and unofficially known as “the mayor of MKV.” He loved Maui and their best friends there, Bob and Karen. The four of them played card games and dominoes almost every night and fought hard every year for bragging rights to the Camp Maui coconut trophy. John and Bob were always on the hunt for the perfect pina colada and unstirred mai tai, and vastly amused themselves with silly pranks throughout their many years there together.

A true renaissance man, John loved to write short poems and stories (mostly about his family), play cards and games (especially with his family), and was an avid reader. Over the years, he played the piano, guitar, ukulele and even the accordion. He loved to sing and harmonize with any and all songs (Jimmy Buffett, show tunes and Guns ’n Roses were all equally in play). He also liked to draw, play chess, play the stock market and work on cars - especially the ’65 and ’71 corvettes he and Joan owned for many years. He was always, always interested in learning.

It’s so hard to capture the true spirit of a man who was so kind and gentle and loving. But we believe his greatest legacy is this: he and Joan created a family that loves to spend time together. We love each other and love being in each other’s company. As we now have to move forward without him, it’s clear to see that it’s one of the greatest gifts he gave us.

John’s family will host a Celebration of Life in mid-August in Saratoga, California. Please contact John's daughter Cathy at [email protected], or daughter-in-law Kelly at [email protected] for more information.

All who knew and loved John are invited to join us as we raise a glass of Wild Turkey 101 to toast the well-lived life of a wonderful man.

Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas has charge of arrangements.