John Francis Phillips

John F. "Jack" Phillips, 93, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025, in Carthage, North Carolina, after a long illness. Born on June 27, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts, Jack lived a long and full life marked by devotion to family and enduring strength through the years. His journey spanned nearly a century of change and growth, especially after he achieved sobriety in 1962. He would proudly tell you that by the grace of God, he was without a drink, pill or substitute one day at a time for 22,563 days. Jack's education ended in the 8th grade, but he had life experiences that made him smart beyond his formal school years. He was the oldest boy of 13 children born to John and Winifred Kiernan Phillips. He enlisted in the US Army in 1948 and helped support his mother and siblings. He worked as an electrician at Fort Lee in Virginia which also housed a Woman's Army Corp training unit. It was there as he walked thru the WAC barracks one day that he met platoon leader Sgt. Geraldine Muse, who later became his wife. Jack also worked as a "gentleman farmer" in Carthage after his separation from the Army. The family then relocated back to Boston where he was a seam trimmer with the Stride Rite Shoe company for 10 years. He was the only man on his line who had all their fingers when he left the company. Jack and family also lived in Hollywood, Florida. He moved there to become a Bellhop at the Fontainebleau Hotel. He made $3 a day in tips. He was then employed at the Dade County Transit Company where he changed tires on the city buses. His favorite job in Florida was as a concrete truck driver and batcher. He poured many of the sea walls on the Miami beaches and held the record for not turning a concrete truck over on the sand. Jack and family returned to Carthage in 1979. After earning his GED, he attended Sandhills Community College where he received certification as a Computer Repair Technician. He was also the lead mechanic of vehicle maintenance with Moore County Schools. After his retirement, he drove with Moore County Transportation "taking the old folks to the meal sites." Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Geraldine Muse Phillips, who passed away in 2021. He was also predeceased by his son Douglas Phillips and daughter-in-law Debbie Phillips, as well as his son Dan Phillips. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter Dovie Phillips Thole and her husband Will; his son David Phillips and wife Roseanne; and his son Dean Brian Phillips and wife Stephanie. His granddaughter, Kaitlyn Phillips was the primary caregiver to Jack and Gerry for the past 7 years. It is because of her love and support that they were able to live in their home in Carthage these latter years. She was and is God's blessing to him and his family. Jack and Gerry had 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was also "Uncle Jack" to several nieces and nephews. Jack's legacy lives on through them. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at New Covenant Fellowship Church 1305 Hulsey Rd., Carthage. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.

John Francis Phillips

June 27, 1931 - May 27, 2025