Raymond Emery Phillips, Sr., 83, unexpectedly died at his home on April 19, 2015.
Raymond was born on June 12, 1931 on Signal Mountain, Tennessee to the late Eloise Horton Phillips and Jesse Jackson Phillips, Sr.
Raymond retired from DuPont after 42 years of service. He was a self-described tinkerer. He spoke often of tending to "Jane's Jungle", the gardens that his late wife had created around their home. He was a sports enthusiast and especially loved watching football. He played football for Soddy Daisy High School where he graduated as class vice president in 1949. As a young father, he took pleasure in coaching his children's softball and baseball team. In his later years he enjoyed early morning walks in the local Chattanooga parks and also the camaraderie of his Northgate Mall buddies.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jane Collins Phillips; his brother, Jesse Jackson Phillips Jr.; and his sister, Reita Gooden.
His survivors include his daughter, Mona (Greg) Daughtrey of Soddy Daisy; his son, Raymond E. (Janet) Phillips, Jr. of Johnson City; his four grandchildren, Brian (Andrea) Daughtrey of Franklin, TN; Becca (Todd) Close of Soddy Daisy; Austin Phillips of Knoxville; and Erica Phillips of Knoxville; two great -randchildren, Reid Close and Audrey Kate Close of Soddy Daisy; two sisters, Marjorie Cox and Loretta Harper; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 24.
The family will receive visitors there from 11a.m.-1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to your favorite charity.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.