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Gordon Phillips

Posted 2008-02-23 by Judy Wight Branson
Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Thursday, February 21, 2008

Gordon (Gug) Phillips, age 78, left us to begin another “great adventure” on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2008. His three sons were at his bedside as he looked out over snow-dusted Prescott Valley and the San Francisco Peaks. He had a smile on his lips, and his spirit received an escort over the hills by coyotes known to him.

Gordon was born and grew up in Binghamton, N.Y. Much to his mother’s dismay, Gordon’s adventures began at an early age when, rather than attending a weekend 4H camp event, he decided to hitchhike to Florida. The following year, at age 15, he expanded his reach and hitched to California.

After receiving an Associates Degree in Civil Technology from SUNY, Canton, Gordon returned to Binghamton to raise a family with Patricia Bonham and to work in the family business, Phillips Foundry, where he retired as president after 40 years.

In 1991, he moved to Prescott, Ariz., with his second wife, Marilyn, to live in the mountain landscape he loved and to pursue passion for outdoor activities and nature.

Gordon’s excursions into the wild and unfamiliar included hiking the length of the Grand Canyon; riding his bicycle from Prescott to Binghamton, N.Y., at age 65; a 10-day raft trip down the Colorado River; hiking much of the Appalachian Trail; kayaking; mountain biking; and exploring the nooks and crannies of the mountains and countryside from coast to coast. His curiosity also took him on many trips to five continents. At 71 he acquired an off-road motorcycle, and the following year he took up rollerblading. For his 76th birthday, he bought himself a road motorcycle and enjoyed many trips with his buddy Max, with whom he also tandem-traveled in his RV.

In recent years, he enjoyed and valued the companionship of his dear friend, Marilyn Smith, with whom he drove to Alaska and back last June. It was upon return that he discovered that his “last great adventure” would not be riding his motorcycle east to see family and foliage.

Gordon fought his cancer with determination, courage and grace, keeping his sense of humor until the end. He remains an inspiration to us all.

Gordon was predeceased by his father, Frank L. Phillips; brother Robert Ira Phillips; mother Louise T. Sacrey; and wife Marilyn.

Gordon will be missed by many family members and friends including son Michael Phillips and partner Victoria Stahl; son Thomas Phillips, his wife Judith, and sons Kyle and Brendan; son John Phillips, his wife Elaine, and twin sons Patrick and Christopher; stepson Frank Sander and his sons Randon and Rayce; stepson Robert Sander, his wife Melissa, and children Brianna, Cassidy and Shaun; stepson Scott Sander and his son Andrew; companion Marilyn (Mee) Smith; former wife Patricia Bates; and fellow bon vivant and outdoor adventurer Max Davenport.

A celebration of Gordon’s life will be 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at the Unity Church of Prescott, 145 South Arizona Ave., Prescott, AZ 86303. Directions to a reception following the memorial service will be available at the church.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Gordon’s name to YRMC Hospice, Board Restricted Fund, 3262 Windsong Road, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314; and to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203, USA 800-628-6860.

Information provided by survivors.





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