Obituary: Phillips, Richard George “Dick”
Age 90
(Age 90)
Passed away April 7, 2016.
He was born to parents Mary Marshall Phillips and Melvin Phillips on May 20, 1925, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Dick enlisted in the Navy two weeks after his 18th birthday.
After a short time at Farragut he was deployed to Kwajalein where he and his lifelong friend, Cyrus J. Rynearson, became part of a special detachment that hit the beach head with the Marines.
When the war ended he returned home and married Marjorie Dunham with the understanding that they would be married 10 years and have two children.
After 10 years and four children they divorced and remained lifelong friends.
Years later, he met Mary Lou Ott, at the Valley Ho.
Lou loved to dance and Dick was a master of the dance floor.
The bond between Dick and Lou grew through over 50 years of marriage.
Dick was a member of the Iron Workers Local #14 for 69 years.
He was never without his Iron Workers suspenders.
After his retirement in 1986 he and Lou sold the house, bought an RV and hit the road.
They maintained that lifestyle for 20 years before settling in Kennewick, Washington for 11 years and finally moving back to Liberty Lake.
He was preceded in death by his sister Bernice, brothers Ernest, Lloyd, and Rufas and son Jerry.
He is survived by his wife Lou, children Lola (Gary) Elliot, Gary Phillips Debbie Phillips, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be held at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Friday, April 22, from 5-8pm.
Graveside services will be at Riverview Cemetery, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 11:00am.
YATES FUNERAL HOME has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Please visit Dick’s online memorial and sign his online guestbook.