Phil Philips Jr

COL. CLAUDE C. (PHIL) PHILLIPS, JR. US ARMY (RET.)Born July 12, 1920 in Knoxville, TN and passed away on January 11, 2013 at the age of 92. Claude grew up in Knoxville, and after graduating high school, attended military training camp for two summers, completed an ROTC program, and then joined the Army. His first assignment was in a horse cavalry (the 6th). In September of 1942, Claude married his sweetheart, Dorothy Pickering, and one week later was deployed to England during WWII. Claude was discharged in 1945 and went to work in his father's tire business. In 1950, he rejoined the Army, served in the Korean conflict, and was stationed all around the world. Claude retired from the Army in Savannah, GA and then moved to Albuquerque to begin his second career in real estate. Claude was an avid golfer, played tennis, and loved gardening and being a world class beach bum, spending time at the beach house he built for his family in Tybee Island, GA where lots of memories were made with family and friends. Claude is survived by his sons, Claude C. Phillips, III and wife Ardith, and David Phillips and wife Linda; daughters, Julie Gibertini and husband Mark and Patricia Gutierrez and husband Ariel; grandson, Jason Phillips; granddaughters, Jennifer Phillips, Michelle Jones and husband Ryan, and Alison Phillips; his twin brother, George Phillips; and sister, Viola Tolbart. Claude recently lost the love of his life of 70 years. Services will be held Friday, January 18, 2013, 11:00 a.m., at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE, with a reception to follow at the church. Pallbearers will be Claude (Phil) Phillips III, David Phillips, Mark Gibertini, and Ariel Gutierrez. Flowers are welcome, but for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Methodist Church, the Alzheimer's Association, 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111 or the American Heart Association, 2201 San Pedro NE Bldg. 2, Suite 102, Albuquerque, NM 87110.