MOUNT VERNON – Thomas Lee Phillips, 85, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at the Knox Community Hospital. He was born on July 13, 1935, in Knox County to the late Charles C. and Anna Geneva (Kirkpatrick) Phillips.
Tom was a 1953 graduate of Mount Vernon High School and was on the team that won the League Football Championship. He attended Muskingum College where he also played on the football team. He was president of the FFA Chapter and received the State FFA Award.
Tom was a farmer and ran a dairy, sheep and grain farm with his father, brother and son. They raised registered Corriedale and Suffolk sheep and Guernsey cattle. He also was a registered high school football official with the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Tom was a former 4-H advisor, Clinton Township trustee, member of Colonial City Moose Lodge #2555, past president of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, former board member of the Knox County Fair Board and past president of the Mount Vernon Farmers Exchange.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Rosalie (Walters) Phillips; his daughter, Terri (Michael) Hillier; his son, Stephen (Deb) Phillips; three grandchildren, Justin (Loren) Hillier, Nicholas (Olivia Moyer) Phillips and Matthew (Casey) Hardy; seven great-grandchildren, Jaxson Hillier, Casen Hillier, Hayden Hillier, Presley Hardy, Hampton Hardy, Dempsey Hardy and Adler Hardy; and his sister-in-law, Diana Phillips-Purdy.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, C. Eugene Phillips.
In keeping with Tom’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. The family will observe a private service in Forest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s name to the Mount Vernon Athletic Boosters; P.O. Box 1301; Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
To send the family a condolence online, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Thomas Lee Phillips.
