Celebrating the life of
Ray Phillips
September 07, 1945 - October 21, 2018
There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
Kenneth Ray Phillips, 73, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
The Jesup native was born September 7, 1945. He lived most of his life in Savannah and was a graduate of Benedictine Military School, Class of 1963. Ray, along with his brother, Ronnie, started Phillips, Inc., in 1968. In 2009, Ray sold the business and retired. He was a member of Community Bible Church.
A huge NASCAR fan, Ray’s passion was fishing. It never mattered if it was too hot, too cold, too windy, or too wet - anytime was a good time to fish according to Ray.
Ray loved his family and took great joy in teaching Kent and Emily, as well as their friends the art of fishing. He loved nothing better than hooking someone …. anyone on fishing.
After retirement, Ray became an enthusiastic member of the Skidaway Island Dog Park where he and Keeper enjoyed socializing with both furry and human friends.
Ray was known for his dry wit, unusual comments and observations, and bizarre sense of humor. For anyone that Ray may have offended over the years, we sincerely apologize and unlike Ray we have no good comeback for you.
Ray was predeceased by his parents, Grace Bland and Joseph C. Phillips. Ray leaves to cherish his memory, his best catch, his loving wife, Cheri; their children, Kent Phillips (Heather), and Emily and Mincey Phillips; his grandson, Joey Everett Phillips; his brother, Ronnie Phillips (Marsha); his in-laws, Holly Lantz (Rick), Billy Tyson (Melissa) and Charley Tyson (Gail), his faithful companion, Keeper; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel with Rev. Bill Fowler officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Skidaway Island Dog Park, C/O The Landings Association, 600 Landings Way, Savannah, GA 31411 or the Morris Slotin Fund, C/O Alee Temple, 100 Eisenberg Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.
May the God of all comfort strengthen the Phillips family for your loss during these most difficult times. God keeps those who have fallen asleep in death in His memory because they are precious in his eyes “Psalm 116:15” and “John 5:28,29”
- Sheila, , Ga
Dearest Cheri, I am so sorry to hear about Ray.Lots of hugs and love your way...
- Joy Eager Vojnovic , Santa Rosa Beach, Fl
Cheri,im so sorry to hear about your loss. my thoughts and prayers are with you,Kent and Emily.
- Nancy n Sturgess, ,
So sorry to hear about Ray..and unfortunately couldn't make the services.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. I know he is having a great time now with Aunt Gracie!
- Craig and Terry Derst, Brooklet , Ga
My condolences To the family I am sorry for your loss. It is very hard when we lose someone whom we love, our God Jehovah knows how we hurt , he has promised mankind a resurrection so we can see our love ones, read John chapter 5:28,29 this is one of many scriptures that will give the family hope and strength. Again I am sorry for your your loss.
- Cooper, Savannah , Ga
To my Cheri Beri with the beautiful smile. May the love peace and joy of Jesus continue to comfort your entire family. I love you.
- Gloria West Frazier, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry for your loss. I quickly remembered his SMILE! You have so many family and friends that can help and support you through these tough times. And that's a true Blessing! Love to you Cheri?
- Howard and Dayle Triay, Jacksonville, Fl
Cheri, Bert and I were so very sorry to hear about Ray's passing. I know this is so sad for you and all your family. Please know that all of you are in our prayers for peace and comfort. God bless each of you, Love, Roberta andBert Josey
- roberta and Bert Josey, 15 Champion Ct., Chapin, S. C. 29036, S.C.
Cheri, So sorry for your loss. My mom just told me today that Ray has passed. Chuck and I are both retired and live in St. Augustine now. I come to Savannah to see my folks regularly so perhaps we can get together sometime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family at this difficult time. Again, our sincere condolences.
- Karen & Chuck Wharton, St. Augustine, FL
We will miss our insightful fishing chats with Ray at the dog park and admiring his latest boat projects at the marina. Bless you all and especially Keeper.
- Diane and Keith Parker, Savannah, GA
Thoughts and prayers to Cheri and the family. Ray introduced me to Savannah in 1997 by giving me the opportunity to work with him at Phillips Inc., Ray was a caring man and was always fair.
- Barry Mann, Savannah , GA
Prayers to the whole Phillips Family. I enjoyed fishing with Ray and also calling on him and Ronnie at their old carpet store in Savannah many years ago. RIP Ray you will be missed..
- Michael Morrissey, Duluth, Ga
Ronnie, I am truly sorry to hear about Ray. I have always been grateful for the opportunities you and Ray gave me working at Phillips, Inc. Our family will your family in our thoughts and prayers through this tough time.
- Randy Price, Oak Ridge, NC
R.I.P. “Slow N Easy; you and Keeper? will be missed and not forgotten by your Landings dog park friends.Your departure is too soon. Prayers to your loving family and your loyal Keeper???.
- Steven & Patricia Hirsch, Savannah, GA
Cheri, You are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. No pain or suffering for Ray. He is in the Lord's House which is the most wonderful place to be. Sincerely Sherry
- Sherry Hanel Shealy, Savannah, Ga.
An old and trusted friend was Ray. We loved racing together back in the day. Like the Phillips Brothers we also done interior decorations You will be missed.
- Marty & Glenda Kingery, Collins, Ga.
Hope you enjoy the fishing there !!!
- Pam brown , Savannah , Ga
We are shocked to see this. Our deepest sympathy to the family. We go back so far I feel like Ray was a family member. I pray for the rough road this will be for you all. So very sorry Ronnie.
- Larry and Paula, Ellabell , Ga.
I always knew that in the event that I found myself in need, Ray would be there. He truly was a good man. RIP my friend, RIP. You'll be missed by all at the Dog Park. Mike & "Buddy" O'Neill.
- Mike O'Neill, Savannah, GA
We will miss seeing Ray at the dog park, he always had a joke to share and occasionally we laughed. He was very generous with the Shad roe he caught and contributed to my first cooking experience with it. I hope he enjoyed the German chocolate cupcakes my husband volunteered me to make for his birthday last September :) He truly was a character unlike any other, a presence that has truly left a void for those who knew him. God bless. Holly and Clay Geriner
- Holly Geriner, Savannah, Ga
Sherri , I was so sadden to hear about Ray. In 25 years of knowing the family and working with Ray I know how much his family will miss him. He was a great teacher to me in the Design business and always had a joke to make me laugh. I will be In Massachusett Friday and unable to attend but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Betty Fox
- Betty Fox, Greenville , SC
May the God of all comfort strengthen the Phillips family for your loss during these most difficult times. God keeps those who have fallen asleep in death in His memory because they are precious in his eyes “Psalm 116:15” and “John 5:28,29”
- Sheila, , Ga
Dearest Cheri, I am so sorry to hear about Ray.Lots of hugs and love your way...
- Joy Eager Vojnovic , Santa Rosa Beach, Fl
Cheri,im so sorry to hear about your loss. my thoughts and prayers are with you,Kent and Emily.
- Nancy n Sturgess, ,
So sorry to hear about Ray..and unfortunately couldn't make the services.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. I know he is having a great time now with Aunt Gracie!
- Craig and Terry Derst, Brooklet , Ga
My condolences To the family I am sorry for your loss. It is very hard when we lose someone whom we love, our God Jehovah knows how we hurt , he has promised mankind a resurrection so we can see our love ones, read John chapter 5:28,29 this is one of many scriptures that will give the family hope and strength. Again I am sorry for your your loss.
- Cooper, Savannah , Ga
To my Cheri Beri with the beautiful smile. May the love peace and joy of Jesus continue to comfort your entire family. I love you.
- Gloria West Frazier, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry for your loss. I quickly remembered his SMILE! You have so many family and friends that can help and support you through these tough times. And that's a true Blessing! Love to you Cheri?
- Howard and Dayle Triay, Jacksonville, Fl
Cheri, Bert and I were so very sorry to hear about Ray's passing. I know this is so sad for you and all your family. Please know that all of you are in our prayers for peace and comfort. God bless each of you, Love, Roberta andBert Josey
- roberta and Bert Josey, 15 Champion Ct., Chapin, S. C. 29036, S.C.
Cheri, So sorry for your loss. My mom just told me today that Ray has passed. Chuck and I are both retired and live in St. Augustine now. I come to Savannah to see my folks regularly so perhaps we can get together sometime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family at this difficult time. Again, our sincere condolences.
- Karen & Chuck Wharton, St. Augustine, FL
We will miss our insightful fishing chats with Ray at the dog park and admiring his latest boat projects at the marina. Bless you all and especially Keeper.
- Diane and Keith Parker, Savannah, GA
Thoughts and prayers to Cheri and the family. Ray introduced me to Savannah in 1997 by giving me the opportunity to work with him at Phillips Inc., Ray was a caring man and was always fair.
- Barry Mann, Savannah , GA
Prayers to the whole Phillips Family. I enjoyed fishing with Ray and also calling on him and Ronnie at their old carpet store in Savannah many years ago. RIP Ray you will be missed..
- Michael Morrissey, Duluth, Ga
Ronnie, I am truly sorry to hear about Ray. I have always been grateful for the opportunities you and Ray gave me working at Phillips, Inc. Our family will your family in our thoughts and prayers through this tough time.
- Randy Price, Oak Ridge, NC
R.I.P. “Slow N Easy; you and Keeper? will be missed and not forgotten by your Landings dog park friends.Your departure is too soon. Prayers to your loving family and your loyal Keeper???.
- Steven & Patricia Hirsch, Savannah, GA
Cheri, You are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. No pain or suffering for Ray. He is in the Lord's House which is the most wonderful place to be. Sincerely Sherry
- Sherry Hanel Shealy, Savannah, Ga.
An old and trusted friend was Ray. We loved racing together back in the day. Like the Phillips Brothers we also done interior decorations You will be missed.
- Marty & Glenda Kingery, Collins, Ga.
Hope you enjoy the fishing there !!!
- Pam brown , Savannah , Ga
We are shocked to see this. Our deepest sympathy to the family. We go back so far I feel like Ray was a family member. I pray for the rough road this will be for you all. So very sorry Ronnie.
- Larry and Paula, Ellabell , Ga.
I always knew that in the event that I found myself in need, Ray would be there. He truly was a good man. RIP my friend, RIP. You'll be missed by all at the Dog Park. Mike & "Buddy" O'Neill.
- Mike O'Neill, Savannah, GA
We will miss seeing Ray at the dog park, he always had a joke to share and occasionally we laughed. He was very generous with the Shad roe he caught and contributed to my first cooking experience with it. I hope he enjoyed the German chocolate cupcakes my husband volunteered me to make for his birthday last September :) He truly was a character unlike any other, a presence that has truly left a void for those who knew him. God bless. Holly and Clay Geriner
- Holly Geriner, Savannah, Ga
Sherri , I was so sadden to hear about Ray. In 25 years of knowing the family and working with Ray I know how much his family will miss him. He was a great teacher to me in the Design business and always had a joke to make me laugh. I will be In Massachusett Friday and unable to attend but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Betty Fox
- Betty Fox, Greenville , SC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
