PHILLIPS, Wendell Thomas 1948-2016

PHILLIPS, KEMP

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 3/23/2016 at 00:29:03

Wendell Thomas “Tom” Phillips

March 24, 1948 - March 21, 2016

Memorial Gathering:
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories
Waterloo, Iowa

Memorial Service:
Tuesday March 29, 2016
Fisch Funeral Home & Monument
310 Fulton St.
Remsen, Iowa

Wendell Thomas “Tom” “Tommie” Phillips, age 67, of Cedar Falls, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home on March 21, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell and mother, Irene (Kemp) Phillips.

Tom married Pat Kinney in 1969 and had three children who will deeply miss him. Daughter Amy (David) Harnack of Le Mars, Iowa; son, Corey (Abby) of Remsen, Iowa; son, Chad (Stephanie) of Excelsior, Minnesota, grandchildren Shelby, Kylie, Bailey, Hannah and Ella; significant other, Lanee Good; sister, Vicki (Bob) Groepper of Remsen Iowa; brother, Todd (Sherri) Phillips of Englewood Colorado. Special loved one’s Lisa (Todd) Jensen, Angie Nolting, Sara (Jay) Schares, Allison (Eli) Wynes, Nick, Devan, Addison, Trevor, Spencer, Maddox, Avery and Roman. Adored by his nieces and nephews, coworkers at Rydell Chevrolet, friends from the river and many other caring friends that Tom met throughout his life.

Tom was born March 24, 1948 in Le Mars, Iowa to Wendell and Irene Phillips and grew up in Remsen and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School where he was active in baseball and basketball throughout his high school years. As a teenager Tom found his love for cars…and driving them fast, this is how he earned the nickname “Flyer.” He and his like-minded friends started the group “The Roadrunners.”

Tom enjoyed having horses and had many throughout his life. After high school graduation 1966 Tom began working at his family’s John Deere Implement called Schaff’s Hardware in Remsen where he worked for many years in different capacities until the store closed in 1985.

Tom was active in the Remsen community through Lions Club, JC’s, a member of the bowling league & City Council. After Schaff’s, Tom and Ray Evans opened T & R repair. From there Tom found his true passion in sales and began his career at Van Beek Implement. In 1993 Tom made the move across Iowa to Cedar Falls where he began his long tenure selling cars at Rydell Chevrolet. Tom loved everything about Rydell! He loved the people he worked with but most of all he loved taking great care of his customers, they became like family. Tom worked up until the final few weeks prior to his passing. Tom found a love for the river and jet skiing which led him to purchase a cabin in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, where he quickly became part of a group of many wonderful friends that too soon became family.

Tom was the life of the party. He enjoyed sharing many great times with friends and family. One of his favorite things to do was to be with his grandchildren. Tom was extremely generous. Those grandkids could do no wrong and Grandpa had no issues spoiling them. He loved watching Auto Racing both in person and on television. Tom enjoyed his pets over the years, especially his dog, Andy. Tom was the utmost gentlemen and a kind soul. We will forever miss his fantastic laugh, affectionate and contagious smile and most of all his loving and caring personality.

There will be a Memorial Gathering at Parrott and Wood Chapel of Memories 965 Home Plaza in Waterloo on Thursday March 24, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 pm. Memorial service will be Tuesday March 29, 2016 at 11:00 am at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument Fisch 310 Fulton St. Remsen with Rev. William McCarthy officiating.

Visitation will be Monday March 28, 2016 with family present from 5:00-8:00 pm at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument 310 Fulton St. Remsen. Visitation will resume at 9:30 am until service time Tuesday morning. A memorial fund has been set up in Tom’s name at Rydell Chevrolet 1325 E San Marnan Dr, Waterloo, IA 50702, attention Shelly Jura.

Source: Parrott & Wood Funeral Service

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