Celebrating the life of
Phillip Levi Lightfoot
September 15, 1943 - February 21, 2009
Captain Phillip Levi Lightfoot
Captain Phillip Levi Lightfoot was born September 15, 1943 in Pembroke, GA to Roan and Fleetie Phillips Lightfoot Strickland and departed this life February 21, 2009. He was a resident of Bethesda Home for Boys from 1950 to 1963 and graduated from Savannah High School in 1963. He served four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Matthews aka 96 Amphibious Ship making landings in DaNang, Hue and Chulai, South Vietnam. He later transferred to the USS Pandemus based in Charleston, S.C.
After serving 2 years with the Naval Reserve, he transferred to the GA Air National Guard, retiring in 2003 as the First Sgt. of the 165th Aerial Port Squadron, USAF. He proudly served his country for 28 years.
He joined the City of Savannah Police Department in 1968 and in 1972 transferred to the Savannah Fire Department. He held the position of Firefighter, Master Firefighter, Captain, Fire Investigator, Assistant Training Officer, Training Officer, Public Information Officer, and Public Education Officer, retiring in February 2001.
He was actively involved in teaching fire safety in neighborhood programs throughout the city and worked for many years with the Chatham County Board of Education teaching fire safety in public and private schools in our area. He was a member of Safe Kids of Savannah and was instrumental in obtaining the Fire Safety House for the city's use at our schools and various other functions.
He was the moving force in the creation of the monument to fallen Firefighters located at Savannah Fire Headquarters on Oglethorpe and Abercorn Streets.
He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Police, a member of the Local 574 International Association of Firefighters, the Pandemus Association, Post 184 American Legion in Thunderbolt, Chairman of the 165th Aerial Port Association.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Roan Lightfoot, Jr. and Weyman Lightfoot.
He will be forever loved by his wife, Deborah Mills Lightfoot, and children, Phillip L. Trish Lightfoot, Jr., Gail L. Eddie Perry, Wendy M. Lightfoot and Sarah S. Lightfoot, also grandchildren, Ethan, Jack and Aidan Perry, Roan Donahue and Liam Lightfoot, and two brothers, R. Henry Joy Lightfoot and Billy R. Jean Lightfoot, several nieces and nephews and remembered by many friends.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at Ferguson Avenue Baptist Church.
Burial will follow at Northside Cemetery in Pembroke, GA with Military and Fire Department Honors.
Remembrances may be made to the Bethesda Home for Boys, 9520 Ferguson Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
I miss you day and night. I wish you were still here Dad. I have so much to tell you. I wish you were here to meet my two beautiful children. My daughter Peyton who is 2 years old now and my son Levi who was named after you. I wish you were here everyday so I can tell you what's going on in life. I love you and I will always miss you and I will see you very soon!
- Sarah S. Lightfoot Hodges, SAVANNAH , GA
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DURING THIS TIME OF SORROW
- Gilbert & Gail Exley165TH SECURITY POLICE, Savannah, GA
Debbie and Family,our sincere sympathy.You are in our thoughts and prayers.Love,
- The Mahoneys, Savannah, GA
I worked with Philip for almost 30 years.He was a good christian man and I'm sure he is with God. He always tried to do the right thing and took pride in his job.
- david denmark, sav., GA
We and the Corbit Mason family send our regards in this time of loss. May God comfort your family at this time.
- Randy & Temple Mason Clark, Lyons, GA
Our hearts goes out to the Lightfoot Family. May God Bless and be with you. Love, Marty Anderson David And Joy O'Hair Formally of Ellabell
- Marty Anderson, Ft.McCoy, FL
Debbie and Family, My deepest sympathies to you on your loss. I only met Phillip a couple of times, but I have known Debbie for years. Debbie, you always have such a great smile and positive attitude. I hope those quailities will help you through this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
- Nora Joslyn, Savannah, GA
My hearts goes to Lightfoot family.
- Roger H.Easterling, Rincon, GA
IN TIMES LIKE THESE WORDS SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST TO SHARE, ONLY BECAUSE WE'VE ALL BEEN AT THIS CROSS ROAD AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. BUT THE MEMORIES OF OUR LOVE ONES CAN GENERATE A TON OF WORDS. GOD HAS CALLED HOME A 'GREAT WARRIOR'.
- PAUL GIBBONS, SAVANNAH, GA
May the Lord bless his soul.... Th world needs more like him.
- Col Tom Holland, Savannah, GA
My condolences to the family of Levi. From friend and ex-neighbor in Pembroke.
- Joe Winter, Pembroke, GA
We went to Montgomery Elem together. Mother was class mother all 6 years and the Bethesda boys loved her because she took care of them and gave them treats and attention. Daddy's 2 Llewellyn Setters were always going 3 miles down to Bethesda to chase the dairy cows and roll in patties, and he and the other Bethesda Boys would bring Dan and Spot home, and Mother would reward each with a quarter and some Cokes and candy. But as my memory fades, I thought he was called 'Billy' back then? He was always nice and polite and I didn't realize he was in the police and fire depts. here.
- Carole Wall, savannah, GA
I miss you day and night. I wish you were still here Dad. I have so much to tell you. I wish you were here to meet my two beautiful children. My daughter Peyton who is 2 years old now and my son Levi who was named after you. I wish you were here everyday so I can tell you what's going on in life. I love you and I will always miss you and I will see you very soon!
- Sarah S. Lightfoot Hodges, SAVANNAH , GA
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DURING THIS TIME OF SORROW
- Gilbert & Gail Exley165TH SECURITY POLICE, Savannah, GA
Debbie and Family,our sincere sympathy.You are in our thoughts and prayers.Love,
- The Mahoneys, Savannah, GA
I worked with Philip for almost 30 years.He was a good christian man and I'm sure he is with God. He always tried to do the right thing and took pride in his job.
- david denmark, sav., GA
We and the Corbit Mason family send our regards in this time of loss. May God comfort your family at this time.
- Randy & Temple Mason Clark, Lyons, GA
Our hearts goes out to the Lightfoot Family. May God Bless and be with you. Love, Marty Anderson David And Joy O'Hair Formally of Ellabell
- Marty Anderson, Ft.McCoy, FL
Debbie and Family, My deepest sympathies to you on your loss. I only met Phillip a couple of times, but I have known Debbie for years. Debbie, you always have such a great smile and positive attitude. I hope those quailities will help you through this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
- Nora Joslyn, Savannah, GA
My hearts goes to Lightfoot family.
- Roger H.Easterling, Rincon, GA
IN TIMES LIKE THESE WORDS SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST TO SHARE, ONLY BECAUSE WE'VE ALL BEEN AT THIS CROSS ROAD AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. BUT THE MEMORIES OF OUR LOVE ONES CAN GENERATE A TON OF WORDS. GOD HAS CALLED HOME A 'GREAT WARRIOR'.
- PAUL GIBBONS, SAVANNAH, GA
May the Lord bless his soul.... Th world needs more like him.
- Col Tom Holland, Savannah, GA
My condolences to the family of Levi. From friend and ex-neighbor in Pembroke.
- Joe Winter, Pembroke, GA
We went to Montgomery Elem together. Mother was class mother all 6 years and the Bethesda boys loved her because she took care of them and gave them treats and attention. Daddy's 2 Llewellyn Setters were always going 3 miles down to Bethesda to chase the dairy cows and roll in patties, and he and the other Bethesda Boys would bring Dan and Spot home, and Mother would reward each with a quarter and some Cokes and candy. But as my memory fades, I thought he was called 'Billy' back then? He was always nice and polite and I didn't realize he was in the police and fire depts. here.
- Carole Wall, savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
