Raymond W. ''Ray'' Phillips

Pendleton ? On the morning of February 2, 2004, Raymond W. ''Ray'' Phillips, 86, was called home to Heaven from his window-view bed at Rawlins House in Pendleton. He was born to Sergeant Chester and Mabel Phelps Phillips on November 5, 1917 at Ft. Hayes near Columbus, Ohio and grew up in the vicinity of Ft. Harrison, getting his first job delivering newspapers when he was just seven years old. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1935. He was in the Army Reserves at Ft. Harrison until he was called to served in World War II-at which time unexplained high blood pressure caused him to be honorably discharged. It would later be discovered that he had been born with a defective aorta, which was corrected with open-heart surgery in the fall of 1962. He moved to Anderson in 1942, starting out working at Plant 1 of Delco Remy in accounts receivable and working in shop accounting at many of the other plants. Most of his time was spent at Plant 3, from which he retired in 1974. He faithfully attended Colonial United Methodist Church where his angelic smile and friendly spirit brought an extra special glow to every service. Although he no longer lived in the area, he was active and kept up his membership at Mystic Circle Masonic Lodge in Lawrence well into his golden years. He remained active when it came to getting together with old schoolmates at reunions. Besides his parents and his step-mother, Lainie, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Ruby & Roy Alexander; his brother, Jim Phillips; his nephew-in-law, Tom Michael; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves behind his wife, Ainsley Jobe Phillips, whom he married on February 8, 1947 after a nine-month courtship and his daughter, Ainsley Jo Phillips, both of Anderson. He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn Jeanette ?Jennie? husband, Ishmael ?Dick? Combs, of Pembroke Pines, Florida; and former sister-in-law, Mary Phillips, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Also surviving are nieces; Carolyn Grosswiler of Marion; Barbara husband, Bob Fox of Anderson; Susan widow of Tom Michael of Marion; Cathy husband, Doug Beerbower of Ft. Wayne; and Denise soulmate, Shirley Stroup Abshire of McCordsville; and nephews; Phil wife, Sandy Alexander of Fairfield, Ohio; Jim wife, Linda Combs of Pembroke Pines, Florida; David wife, Jackie Phillips of Tiffin, Ohio and Tommy Phillips of Bowling Green, Kentucky. His wife?s brothers married women with grown children also making him a step-uncle who was closest to the two step-nephews still in high school at the time of the marriages: Henry wife, Marion Duran of Oroville, California and Danny wife, Deanna Minnick of Brazil, Indiana. Also several cousins, step-siblings and their families survive. Ray was a second parent to several people, among them: Mark & Barbara Tankersley of Madison, Tennessee; Sharon ?Pinky? Young, Larry ?Bud? Young, and Kevin Price, all of Anderson; Diana husband, Howard Foreman of Muncie; Edith Addington of the country of Lebanon; and Ken Merck deceased, and also was an extra and much loved grandparent for his daughter?s godchildren. He will also be missed dearly by many, many friends. Visitation will be at Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel; 200 W. 53rd Street; Anderson from 4-8:00 pm, Friday, February 6, 2004. The service will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 7, 2004, with Pastor Jerry Alexander of Colonial United Methodist Church officiating. Weather permitting, his earthly remains will be laid to rest at three in the afternoon the following Monday at Cunot Cemetery in Cunot, Indiana. www.loosefuneralhomes.com

Raymond W. ''Ray'' Phillips

November 5, 1917 - February 2, 2004