Thomas Earnest “Tom” Phillips, died at home on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, after a brief illness and complications from COVID. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1930, to John Guy and Maude Overstreet Phillips and he grew up in Harriman, Tennessee. His birthday fell on Easter Sunday only 2 more times, in 2003 and 2014. The family relocated to Indiana and Tom graduated from Milton High School, in Milton, Indiana. Tom served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in San Diego, California. He married Elsie Francis Unrein Brown on January 28, 1956. She preceded him in death in 2005 after 49 years of marriage. Tom has lived in Milton for more than 50 years. He retired from Alcoa in Richmond.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Maude, wife Elsie, and brother George Phillips of Hagerstown.
Tom is survived by 2 daughters, Susan (Larry) Steele of Cambridge City and Rhonda Phillips of Connersville; 5 grandchildren – Jenny Pugh, and Travis Steele both of Milton, Jesse Steele of Cambridge City, Shawney Spicer and Benny Ritter, both of Florida; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren.
He loved old cars and motorcycles, having ridden a motorcycle till he was nearly 90 years old. He and Elsie loved to travel, having ridden their motorcycle to California and back, and Florida and back. He loved riding motorcycles and would talk about riding an old Indian motorcycle home after his discharge from the Navy, walking the bike along behind construction equipment while the interstate was being built through the mountains.
Per his wishes, there were no public services. Tom was cremated and will be buried with his parents at the Bentonville Cemetery in a private family service.