Hedrick Mitchell Phillips

Hedrick Mitchell Phillips, 92, peacefully passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020, at his residence at The Arbor, Galloway Ridge, in Pittsboro. He was born on July 5, 1928 in Edgar, Florida, and was the last survivor of nine siblings of the late Grover Christian and Ellen Dean Bush Phillips.

Hedrick was preceded in death by his loving wife of seventy years only 13 days before himself.

Hedrick will be lovingly remembered by his son Scott Reavis Phillips and wife Ashley Brown Phillips of Raleigh and his daughter Tracey Elizabeth Phillips Parker and husband Alton Person Parker Jr. of Raleigh; grandsons Alton Person Parker III, Christian Reavis Phillips and Andrew Scott Phillips; and brothers-in-law Donnie Gurganus of Sterling, Virginia, and Alton Howard of Vienna, Virginia. He was additionally preceded in death by his siblings; G.C., Cecil, Bobby, Juanita Mull Brown, Bernice Mae Howard, Nancy Louise Simpson, Mary Ellen Gurganus and Donna Jean Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His earliest years were spent in Punta Gorda, FL until his family moved to Jacksonville, NC in 1942. Hedrick was a 1946 graduate of his 12-person senior class at Jacksonville High School where he and his wife Betty Jean Reavis met. After graduation, he worked in the Washington, DC area. One weekend when he was back home, Betty needed a ride back to William & Mary where she was a sophomore. Their friendship blossomed and they were married in Jacksonville in 1950. Hedrick was drafted into the Army in 1952 and served in the Occupation Forces in West Germany until his honorable discharge. After leaving the Army, Hedrick and Betty moved to Banner Elk, NC where he attended Lees-McRae College from 1954-1955. That year he transferred to North Carolina State University, where he majored in Engineering until 1958.

After years of working for others as a plumber, electrician and in the propane gas industry, Hedrick struck out on his own and founded Propane Trucks, Inc. in 1969. He built the trucks and managed sales and his wife Betty Jean managed the books. The early years of the business were challenging. Hedrick worked very long days with only one or two employees. Despite tight times sacrifices were made and Scott and Tracey never lacked for Christmas and birthday presents and Hedrick and Betty somehow managed to save up and take the family to Disney World in late 1972. Hard work paid off and they built a thriving and successful business which they sold in 1992. Hedrick’s reputation in the industry was recognized when he was elected as the president of the N.C. Propane Gas Association from 1967-1968. Hedrick’s expertise and care for driver safety led him to invent a safety warning system for liquefied petroleum gas trucks for which he was awarded a U.S. patent in 1978. It is still widely in use and he chose to not make any money on it in order to make it affordable to all and save lives.

Hedrick and Betty spent many happy times at their place at Beacon’s Reach in Pine Knoll Shores and he liked nothing better than going out on his boat Shimmy Sham to fish with friends and family. He was an excellent cook. His Sunday morning breakfasts and barbequed chicken were legendary. He was an excellent poker player and loved poker night with his good friends. When he was living in Raleigh he could be found most evenings exercising at the Health Club at the YMCA where he made countless friends and to which he charitably contributed over the years.

Hedrick and Betty lived the past several years at Galloway Ridge in Pittsboro and the family wants to thank the staff at The Arbor for their unstinting care and affection to them.

Hedrick’s faithful love and attention to Betty’s every need over their seventy years of their marriage was well known to all who knew them and he truly lived for her. Beyond that, he was a loving son, brother, uncle, father and grandfather. He will be missed.

A private graveside service will be held at Onslow Memorial Park cemetery at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 11, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Blue Creek Baptist Church, 1251 Burgaw Hwy., Jacksonville, NC 28540 (bluecreekbaptist.com) or the YMCA of the Triangle, 801 Corporate Center Dr., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27607 (ymcatriangle.org) which was dear to his heart.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.