Lewis Phillips Obituary

Lewis A. Phillips died on May 5, 2023, with family at his side. He is recently pre-deceased by his wife, Carolyn H. Phillips and his son, Terrence A. Phillips.

Lew was born December 6, 1933 in Lawrence, the son of Allen V. and Eunice A. Phillips. He and Carolyn began their life together by dating as juniors at Lawrence High School. They married in 1955 and were parents to Terrence (wife Deanna) Phillips of Lawrence, Constance (husband Rick) Soloway of Maryland and Jon (wife Vickie) Phillips of Georgia and grandparents to Christopher (wife Emma), Madelyn, Taylor and Katelyn.

Lew graduated from KU with a degree in chemical engineering. He subsequently received a MBAs as a Sloan Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His career included positions with five different companies: Ethyl Corporation, U.S. Borax, Southwest Forest Industries, United Vintners and Georgia Pacific.

He and Carolyn moved multiple times throughout his career, living in Louisiana, New Mexico, California, Massachusetts, Washington and Georgia. They returned back to Lawrence upon retirement in 1996.

In Lawrence, Lew was active in the Watkins Museum of History, Rotary, New Generations, and First United Methodist Church. He played tennis for many years, and he and Carolyn enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and traveling across the globe. He also enjoyed time spent with family at Lake Dabinawa, where he could be found driving the boat, pulling his children and grand-children on skis and in tubes.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 8th, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St., Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to Doctors Without Borders or Parkinson's Foundation. Donations may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.