Pappy Phillips

Big Lake resident Pappy Phillips, 72, died Sept. 1, 2012, at his home in Big Lake.

A celebration of life and potluck is at 4 p.m., Dec. 1, at the Lion’s Club in Big Lake.

Pappy was born Oct. 17, 1939, in Texarkana, Ark., to Grady Howard Phillips and Letho Bell McLough-Phillips. He attended high school in Coalinga, Calif., and married Glendoria “Ann” Brown in 1958.

Together they had two sons, Ronald Lee Phillips and Jackie Daniel Phillips. Pappy came to Alaska in the 1970s and was a pipefitter for Arco Alaska; helping to build the trans-Alaska pipeline system and other projects with Acro until his retirement. One of his hobbies was a goldmine he worked for several years. He also loved to snowmachine and fish with his friends.

The family wrote, “Pappy was a true Alaskan in every sense of the word. He had an adventurous spirit and took advantage of the many recreational opportunities Alaska has to offer. He was very highly thought of among his friends and neighbors. He was always willing to lend a hand, even in the worst weather, expecting nothing in return. He was a thoughtful, honest, reliable person and set an example for others. He will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.”

Surviving are his two sons, Ronald Lee and Jackie Daniel; sister, Louise and her husband, Ted Harris; brothers, Lee Phillips and his wife, Barbara Jean; Jerry Phillips and his wife, Jean; grandson, Jacob Daniel; granddaughter, Hayley Renolds, and 16 nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home. An obituary and guestbook are online at alaskanfuneral.com.