- Date Of Death: December 7, 2016
- State: North Carolina
Clifford “Cliff” Futcher Phillips passed away on November 25, 2016 in the embrace of his loving family at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, NC. He was born in Rehoboth Beach, DE, on May 8, 1928 to the late Emily E. and Frederick B. Phillips. Cliff was a fun-loving individual offering a smile and greeting to everyone and answered to many nicknames from his family including Floss, Amos, PopPop and Noodles.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 69 years, Eloise Alden Phillips, and four children: daughter Robin Shobert (John) of Greensboro, NC; and sons Fred (Madelyn) of Greensboro, NC; Tim (Susan) of Lakewood Ranch, FL; and Alan (Becky) of Swedesboro, NJ; and eight grandchildren: Kelly Shobert Bartz (Kenny and great grandchildren Ashley, Taylor and Olivia); Caroline Trotter (Michael); Eric Phillips (Kellie); Matthew Phillips (Marlee); Jonathan Phillips (Leslie); Katie Phillips; Jessica Phillips and Jason Phillips; his niece T.M. Cohick and sister-in-law Jacqueline Phillips (children Sherrie Elliot, Chris and Greg). Cliff was predeceased by his loving brother Robert D. Phillips and special grandson Billy Shobert.
Cliff enjoyed all sports and earned 16 varsity sport letters at Rehoboth Beach High School graduating in 1946 with 17 classmates. He went on to prep school at Fork Union Military Academy and then began his career as a police officer in Rehoboth Beach. Cliff played semi-professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system and with the Eastern Shore Baseball League. In 2007, he was honored to be inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame as a first baseman.
In 1952, Cliff and his family moved to Coatesville, PA where he worked as a conductor with the Reading Railroad for 30 years. After raising his family, he retired from the railroad and worked at the Coatesville Country Club for his son Alan, who was the golf course superintendent. He loved working outside, especially in the early morning.
Cliff retired again in 1990 and he and Eloise kept their home in Coatesville enjoying their community and cheering for the local sports teams where their children played. In 2004, they moved closer to their oldest children in Greensboro, settling at Twin Lakes Community in Burlington where they made many new friends.
As Cliff entered his final years, he always expressed his appreciation for the love, support and time spent with his family and friends and for the wonderful life that he had lived. He and his family have been very grateful for the fine care and kindness given by the staff at Alamance Medical Center and Kernodle Clinic during the past twelve years.
Cliff and Eloise are members of the Friedens Lutheran Church in Gibsonville, NC.
Memorial Service
May-Foley Chapel, Twin Lakes Community
Saturday December 17th, 2016
2:00pm
3801 Wade Coble Ave.
Burlington, NC 27215
Special Instructions: Family will greet friends in the Peppertree immediately following the service
