Obituary of Kenneth L Phillips

Kenneth (Ken) Leo Phillips, 69, loving husband and best friend of Dee Phillips, passed away at his home unexpectedly on Friday, January 18, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Gertrude Phillips, and a son, Matthew Kenneth Phillips. He leaves behind his wife, a son, Brad Phillips (Jenny) and two grandchildren (Hudson and Harper); two sisters, Diane (Sonny) Pickering, Judy (Bob) Terris, and a brother, Ed (Colleen) Phillips —all of Cincinnati, Ohio. His many nieces and nephews enjoyed "Uncle Ken" at gatherings watching sports, or playing golf with him, or listening to his stories. He loved to be with all of them.

Ken was born in Chicago, Illinois (March 1949) but moved at a young age to Cincinnati, Ohio when his father was transferred with Ford Motor Company. He was a product of Catholic Schools, attending St. Michael's and Cincinnati Moeller High School. He received a BS Degree from the University of Cincinnati and attended Xavier University; he was a devoted Bear Cats and Bengal fan.

He and Dee met shortly after college and were married one year later in 1972. The next 56 years were filled with love and family, travel, adventure after adventure, and friends and laughter, always laughter. Ken had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye whenever he met anyone; he genuinely wanted everyone to enjoy life. The only weakness he had, if it was one, was his grandchildren. He hid candy where they could find it, shared his love of golf and sports, and told stories of the amazing talking and flying Maggie, his beloved Schnauzer.

The majority of Ken's career was with Johnson and Johnson where he developed life-long friends. He retired at 55 after 32 years. Most of his career was in National Accounts. Even with heavy travels, he found time to coach or be involved with his sons and their many sports. Most of      was based in Hudson, Ohio where he had a satellite office that allowed his boys to start and finish school there. When they were in college, he moved the office back to Cincinnati, Ohio to the Johnson and Johnson offices there and finished his career in Cincinnati; during this time, he was able to spend time with his mother and father before their passing. When he retired, he truly enjoyed spending time at home. He loved to cook, go to lectures, take flying lessons, play bridge, and walk Maggie Mae. After Dee retired from teaching in 2012, they moved to Hilton Head Island where they had vacationed for 40 years.

Ken loved Hilton Head and golf but continued to plan golf trips with a Johnson and Johnson golf group that formed when they started working together at Johnson and Johnson in the early 70's. On Hilton Head, other friends that he knew from Hudson, Ohio. Formed another group and played regularly, and he organized a golf group on Wednesdays at Palmetto Hall Plantation. He valued these friendships. At Palmetto Hall, he played golf, enjoyed his Men's Book Club, played Trivia, planned a Wounded Warrior/Semper Fi Golf Tournament, played bridge, and attended St. Francis daily where he sat with a group of men from Palmetto Hall that were referred to as the "Back Row" boys. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Services will take place at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church off Beach City Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St, Francis Catholic Church. Although life has changed for his earthly family, who will miss him dearly, they know that he is celebrating with his heavenly family Ken’s life is a testimony to a life well-lived with faith, a loving family and lifelong friends.         Condolences may be expressed at islandfuneralhome.com