- Date Of Birth: March 3, 1920
- Date Of Death: January 16, 2019
- State: Illinois
J.W. “Dutch” Phoenix, 98, of Centralia, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019.
He was born March 3, 1920 in Centralia, son of George K. Phoenix and Enola (Seufert) Phoenix. He married Wilma Doris Martin on December 13, 1946 and she preceded him in death on May 15, 2005.
He is survived by his daughter, Gaila Hodges and husband G.H. of Dallas, Texas and his son, Martin King Phoenix and wife Kendra of Centralia; six grandchildren: Matt Phoenix and wife Jen of Centralia, T.J. Phoenix of Centralia, Brent Hodges and Fiancée Maggie Barber of Dallas, Texas, Kelly Barnes and husband Cody of Richardson, Texas, Travis Burleyson and wife Nikki of Shiloh and Brandon Burleyson and wife Staci of Centralia; seven great-grandchildren: Beau, Lane, Parker, Kaylin, Keagan, Bryar, and Andrew and a nephew: G. Keith Phoenix of St. Louis, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a brother, Keith Phoenix, and a sister-in-law: Margaret Phoenix.
Dutch served in World War II as a Navy Pilot for 44 months. Upon being discharged and arriving back in Centralia in 1946 he started Kas Potato Chip Companies. The company grew from 3 to over 200 employees when it merged with Fairmont Foods fifteen years later. He was the General Manager of the operation until 1970 when he retired. He was the President of Kas Potato Chip Company, Inc., Kas Leasing, Inc, Kas of Missouri, Inc and Vice President of Kas Food, Inc. He also served on several boards for the National Potato Institute, on the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s Hospital, past Director of the Old National Bank for 35 years and a past President of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce from 1960-1961. He was a Lifetime member of the Centralia Elks Lodge 493, a Lifetime member of the Centralia American Legion Post 446, member of the Farm Bureau, and a member of the UCT.
