Dennis Lee Phillips (2018)

FARVER, MCCARROLL, METZ, PACK, PETERS, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:32

Iles Westover Chapel
Des Moines, Iowa

Denny Phillips
December 23, 1943 - February 19, 2018
Born in Ottumwa, Iowa
Resided in Peru, Iowa

Dennis “Denny” Lee Phillips went home to Heaven on Monday, February 19, 2018 after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10am, Thursday, February 22, 2018 at New Hope Assembly of God Church, Urbandale. Interment will be at the Peru Cemetery, Peru, IA. Visitation will be from 5-7pm, Wednesday at Iles Westover Chapel, Des Moines.

Denny was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on December 23, 1943 to Reverend Adolph and Mary Lea (McCarroll) Phillips. Later his family moved to Des Moines where he attended Douglas Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and East High School. Denny was active in football, basketball and baseball where he lettered in the latter two. He also played fast pitch soft-ball until he was thirty-four. His temper, when riled, on the ball field was legendary and people who knew him 'when' often teased him about it in later years.

Denny was a huge fan of East High School and it wasn't unusual for him to often burst out into the East High fight song. He loved to talk about his 'glory' days at East.

Denny worked for Younkers Department Store as a manager and buyer for 17 years. He also worked at Frankels Clothing store and Amoco Oil Credit Card Center for a short time. It was at Amoco that he met his wife, Rhonda. After five months of working for Amoco he began a 20 year career at United Parcel Service, first as a driver for five years and then moving into management. He retired in August 1995 from UPS and began working as a part-time driver for Mail Services Inc. He later moved into management and worked full-time for two years as a Division Manager and then manager in the drivers division. He went back to part-time driving and retired in 2011 after 14 years.

Denny enjoyed a clean car and every vehicle he owned he kept immaculate. He also helped maintain three acres of yard at his home in Peru. Denny loved playing golf and for many years enjoyed rounds with his friend Larry DeWitt and the last six years with his brother Dee.

Denny had a hilarious sense of humor and his comedic timing at delivering one-liners, legendary. He was gifted at keeping a straight face while setting someone up for a joke. Denny never met a stranger and loved to chat with people wherever he went.

He and Rhonda's favorite vacation spot was Eureka Springs, Arkansas and they traveled there twenty-nine times over the years. They also went to Florida, Texas and many parts of the South on vacations.

Denny attended New Hope Assembly of God Church in Urbandale, Iowa for twenty-five years and had many friends there that he considered family. He was saved at his dad's church when he was a teen. Although not outwardly demonstrative, he had a deep faith in the Lord and looked forward to spending eternity in Heaven.

Denny was married for thirty-seven years to his wife, Rhonda. He is survived by his wife; his son, Todd Phillips; step-sons, Robby (Angie) Metz and Jonny (Lisa) Metz, his daughter, Lindsay (Cory) Farver and twelve grandchildren. Also left to mourn his passing are his sisters, Wilma (Arie) Pack, Marsha (Craig) Peters, and brother, Dee (Darlene) Phillips and many nieces, nephews and their families.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in care of the family.

The family of Denny would like to thank everyone who continually prayed for him during his illness. We felt strengthened and mightily blessed.

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

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