James W. Phillips

James Phillips Obituary James W. Phillips was born February 19,1923 in El Dorado, Kansas, to the late James and Claudia Phillips. The family moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio in 1924. James was the oldest of twelve children, nine of which preceded him in death.James attended Western Reserve College's School of Applied Science before joining the Navy in 1942. Serving as a Steward Third Class "T" aboard the U.S.S. Terry during World War II, James earned the American Area, Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation Ribbons, and the Good Conduct and Victory medals. He was honorably discharged in 1946.James was united in Holy Matrimony to Jean Marie Venable on June 15th 1946 at Lee Memorial AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio. From this union six children were born-- James, Denise, Jean, DeWayne, Brian and Diane, 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.His professional career spanned many years and included work with many international corporations, including Standard Oil, Sherwin Williams, Ford Motor Company, and RCA Corporation-- from where he retired in 1993. Though he retired, he never stopped working and learning. Tinkering, repairing and building televisions was his passion later in life. This was during the time that TV's had plugs, sockets, bulbs and picture tubes! James became a master of television repair and often made house calls to clients no matter the time of day or evening.In his spare time, James and wife Jean were avid bowlers, winning numerous trophies and awards. James also enjoyed crossword puzzles, building model air planes and painting. Known as a living encyclopedia, James was also an avid history buff, especially Black History, and always advised everyone to "go to school and learn all you can". However, his ultimate joys in life were his courtship and marriage to Jean and spending time with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his extended family of brothers, sisters and other relatives and friends.James W. Phillips slipped away from this life on March 21st at home with his loved ones. Although he was not a member of any particular church, he did believe in God and debated and quoted scriptures from the bible.Cherished Survivors James leaves to cherish his memory his children-- James Phillips and wife Garni of San Leandro, CA, Denise Braddix (deceased) and husband David of Solon, OH, Jean Maddox and husband Tony of Gainesville, GA, Dewayne Phillips and wife Joann (deceased) of Cleveland Hts., OH, Brian Phillips and wife Candice of San Diego, CA, Diane Stephens of Marietta, GA and Annie Sifford and husband Charles of Shaker Hts., OH. Grandson James Phillips of San Leandro, CA, granddaughter Karma Hyde and husband Keith of McDonough, GA, grandson Adrian Phillips and wife Kelly of San Jose, CA, granddaughter Dionne Braddix of Chicago, IL, grandson Michael Phillips of Hayward, CA, granddaughter Lisa Braddix of Beverly Hills, MI, grandson Duane and wife Ashley of Panama City, FL, Kevin Phillips of Cleveland, OH grandson Brian Phillips of San Diego, CA granddaughters Sierra and India Stephens of Marietta, GA, and granddaughter Julia Sifford of Shaker Hts., OH. Cemetery Details Knollwood Cemetery 1678 SOM Ctr. Road Mayfield Heights, OH, 44124 Wake MAR 29. 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory - Warrensville Heights 25900 Emery Road Warrensville Heights, OH, US, 44128 Funeral Service MAR 29. 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory - Warrensville Heights 25900 Emery Road Warrensville Heights, OH, US, 44128 To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James W. Phillips, please visit our floral store. Read More

James W. Phillips

February 19, 1923 - March 21, 2016