Charles Phillips

PHILLIPS Charles William Phillips, 85, of California, Missouri, and most recently of Springfield, was called to be with his Lord and Savior, on June 19, 2023, at the Arbors Assisted Living in Springfield. He was born in Sedalia, Missouri, on June 10, 1938, to Alvin and Kathleen Phillips. Charles started first grade in a one-room schoolhouse at 5 years old. He graduated from Tipton High School in Tipton, Missouri, in 1955, at age 16. He earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts education from Central Missouri State University in 1960. Charles devoted 30 years to teaching industrial arts to junior and senior high school students in Jefferson City and North Kansas City, and retired from teaching in 1989, at Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he pioneered and developed the power mechanics program and had the 1989 school yearbook dedicated to him. In 1992, Charles began cross-country-trucking and later chose to be closer to home where he delivered gas for MFA in California, Missouri. Charles had a lifelong passion and career in farming, which began in childhood when he first drove a tractor, though his feet barely reached the pedals, to help his father who had mumps at the time. From the moment his foot touched that pedal, he had a love for operating large vehicles and machinery. He enjoyed everything with an engine and even had his pilot license with instrument rating. In 1972, Charles’ dream of owning his own farm was realized when the family purchased their own land in California, Missouri. He farmed soybeans and corn, in addition to owning a cow-calf operation. Charles was a loving and faithful husband to Lois Faye (Emery) and celebrated 58 years of marriage on June 18, 2023, the day before his passing. Charles was an adoring father to three daughters, Charla, Kathleen “Kathy”, and Cozette. He always bought the girls chocolate for Valentine’s Day, took them on hayrides, attended their special events, built them the treehouse of their dreams, and showed his love daily in countless ways. He loved his role as grandpa and went out of his way to make fun memories with his grandchildren, Gabriel and Irelynn. He shared his love for animals and read them stories complete with lively expressions and different voices for characters. He helped Gabriel create his own blacksmithing forge and never missed a chance to encourage Irelynn’s musical talents. Charles faithfully served God and his community throughout his life in a variety of ministry roles within each of his church homes. Charles was called to be the Sunday school superintendent at Mt. Olive Baptist Church as a young teenager, a youth basketball coach and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, a deacon at Winnwood Baptist Church in North Kansas City, adult men’s Sunday school teacher and deacon at Main Street Baptist Church in California, Missouri, as well as a member of the Gideons International ministry. Charles had a servant’s heart and was always willing to help others by using his gifts of carpentry, mechanics and farming to help those in need. In Charles’ limited spare time, he lovingly and skillfully rebuilt a 19th-century farmhouse to create a beautiful home for his wife and daughters. Charles loved spending time on the farm with his family and many pets; going to tractor shows with his brother, Edgar; telling funny stories; and eating Lois’ delicious homemade meals and desserts, especially pumpkin pie. Left to carry on Charles’ legacy is his wife of 58 years, Lois; daughters, Charla (Dave) Holst, Kathy Phillips, Cozette Phillips (Tybre Newcomer); grandchildren, Gabriel Holst, Irelynn Holst; brother, Edgar (Authorene) Phillips, sister-in-law, Sue (Dick) Foltz, and many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Kathleen Phillips, sister, Louise (Bill) Helden, foster sisters, Gladys (Earl) Homan, Dorothy (Homer) Homan; parents-in-law, the Rev. David and Eula Mae Emery; sister-in-law, Joy (Elton Jr.) Johnson, and son-in-law, Thomas Redmond, husband to Kathy Phillips. A celebration of Charles’ life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 3254 Highway JJ, Florence, Missouri 65329. For those desiring, expressions of sympathy can be made to Mt. Olive Baptist Church or Gideons International (gideons.org) in Charles’ memory. Please see midwestfuneralservices.com/obits for an online tribune to Charles.