- Date Of Birth: May 1, 1931
- Date Of Death: January 30, 2022
- State: Michigan
Earl James (Jim) Phillips (age 90) of Portage died peacefully the evening of Sunday, January 30th with his family at his side.
Jim was born May 1st, 1931, the only child of Earl and Rose (Chapman). He grew up in Detroit, but also spent a lot of time in Negaunee, where his parents were from. In his youth, he was a good natured altar boy who always managed to hold down a job. He was good looking, charming and mischievous. After graduating from high school, he found work as a draftsman before enlisting in the Navy. During his hitch as a corpsman, he took leave and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Betsy) Barnes.
After his discharge, Jim went to college on the GI Bill and became a school teacher. Later, he earned a master’s degree and became the vocational director for Utica Community Schools.
Jim was skilled at many things. In his spare time, he designed and built motor scooters, go-carts and wooden boats. He could fix anything. He learned to fly. He raced motorcycles. He was an avid sailor in the Lake St. Clair region. He was pretty good at bowling and golf. He was dapper and a good dancer. He liked banter, and could give and take a good ribbing.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Betsy and partner Marilyn Lorentz ,and is survived by his three sons – Mike (Lisa) of Vicksburg, Thom (Lane) of Portage, and David (Sharie) of Holland, 7 grandchildren James (Katie) Phillips, Ryland (Vanessa) Phillips, Alden Phillips), Elizabeth (Taylor) Otten, Sarah (Matt) Klaus, Maegan (Christopher) Amato, Chelsea (Tyler) Van Tubbergen, and ten great grandchildren.
Jim was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Church in Kalamazoo and, recently, Lord of Life Church in Portage. His family wishes to thank Jim’s caregivers Laurie, Brenda, and dear friend Tom II, as well as the incredible staff at Amber Place for their tireless love and support.
