Obituary of Thomas A. Phillips Sr.

Thomas (Tim) Allen Phillips, Sr. passed away on June 19^th, 2022, at the age of 79 in Coral Springs, FL from a heart attack following a cruise to the Caribbean. He left us peacefully after a brief battle and was surrounded by immediate family members.

Tim was born in Sidney, Ohio on November 25^th, 1942, to Frank and Agnes Phillips. He was a multi-sport athlete at Wayne High School in Dayton, Ohio and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. He met the “love of his life” Linda when he was just 16 years old, and they were married 5 years later. She was his rock and source of inspiration. Tim left his job in data processing at NCR in Dayton for an opportunity in Florida to work in the printing industry with his brother Roger and ultimately founded his own company, Buckeye Printing.  He had a very close bond with his father- and mother-in law, Don and Mildred Harper. Tim was an avid fisherman, golfer, Gator fan, Little League coach, bowler, traveler, gambler, hunter, foodie, and family patriarch.  He was involved in many clubs/leagues over the years including Adam & Eve Anglers, Bass and Snook, WHHS Boosters, Gator Boosters, Lake Region Country Club, Rotary, Sertoma Club, Cypress Lanes Bowling and Duck’s Unlimited. His favorite places were on his back porch overlooking Lake Winterset, Cedarville Michigan, in front of the TV and anywhere with family.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Ron Phillips; his sister, Carol Campbell; his sister-in law, Geri Hargrave; and his parents. Tim is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughter Tina (Bill) Bateham; his son, Tom (Marisol) Phillips; his grandchildren, Jake Steele, Stephanie Phillips, and Josh Steele; his great grandson, Easton Steele; his brother, Roger (Rela) Phillips; sister-in law, Hannah Phillips; his brother-in-law, Sonny Hargave; and many nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Winter Haven, FL on Saturday, July 2^nd at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be sent to Tim’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.