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Obituaries

Ira Otto Phillips

08/21/1929 - 09/29/2020

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Obituary For Ira Otto Phillips

MSGT. USAF, Retired, Ira Otto Phillips, passed away on September 29, 2020 of Covid- 19 related pneumonia. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman, TX. Brother Danny Wood of West Sherman Baptist Church and Pastor Chad Selph of First Baptist Church in Allen, Texas will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. The United States Air Force will accord military honors for Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Phillips, aged 91, lived in Wylie, Texas with his loving wife, Myrtle, and had been happily married to her for 70 years as of September 10th, 2020. “Phil” or “Sarge”, as he was frequently and lovingly known, was born in Coryell City, Texas on August 21, 1929.

Mr. Phillips attended Gatesville, Texas schools. His military career, distinguished and honorable, included service in several areas around the world as well as in Vietnam. He served for 22 years. After retiring from the military, Mr. Phillips was employed by Texas Instruments for 20 years as a supervisor in Sherman, Texas and also obtained his business degree from Grayson College. Upon retirement from Texas Instruments, Mr. Phillips obtained his real estate license and worked in the Whitesboro, Texas area, endearing himself to many.

Mr. Phillips was a devout Christian and a member of First Baptist Church of Allen, TX. He served within many churches in different areas of ministries, including chairman of deacons and ministry to widows and widowers. During his military service in Vietnam, he served alongside the Southern Baptist missionary there, and taught English and Bible. He loved his Lord Jesus, his beloved wife, Myrtle Koch Phillips, his family, his friends, and his country.

Mr. Phillips was an avid fast pitch softball pitcher, who excelled in that sport. In his younger years, he led USAF teams to worldwide fast pitch softball championship victories. While living in Sherman, Texas, he led the Ken Murray TV Team to several championship wins. His interests also included playing golf which he enjoyed until his health made it impossible. Mr. Phillips’ hobbies included fishing and hunting.

Mr. Phillips is survived by his loving wife, Myrtle Koch Phillips, loving daughters Kathy Smith and husband, Chuck Smith of Wylie, Texas; Sue Ross and husband, Kenny Ross of Richardson, Texas; loving grandchildren, Ryann Dolton of Provo, Utah; Nathan Washington of Park City, Utah; Natalie Coonrod and husband, Michael Coonrod of Melissa, Texas; Shannon Graf of Dallas, Texas; Kacie Dolton and husband, Marc Dolton of McKinney, Texas; Jason Smith and wife, Kari Smith of Richardson, Texas; and Jennifer Foster and husband, Kyle Foster of Desoto, Texas. He is also survived by loving great-grandchildren, Tristan Washington and wife, Nicole Washington of St. Joseph, Missouri; Jessica Washington of Park City, Utah; Emma Washington of Fountain Hills, Arizona; Elijah Coonrod and Jaxson Coonrod of Melissa, Texas; Layla Graf of Dallas, Texas; Kenzie and Graham Dolton of McKinney, Texas; Genevieve Smith of Richardson, Texas; and Maddy Garcia of Midlothian, Texas. Mr. Phillips is also survived by one great great-grandchild, Kyla Washington of St. Joseph, Missouri. There are several stepbrothers and stepsisters also surviving Mr. Phillips.

Funeral services are being conducted by Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mr. Phillips’ memory to ministries within your local church.

The family would like to thank the doctor and nurses on the ICU floor of Baylor Scott and White Hospital for their special care of Mr. Phillips.

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  • 10/19/2020

    joanne Dickey

    Norman Dickey and Ira were at one time on opposite teams of fast pitch softball, Marr Texaco (Big Red) and Ken Murrey. But later became teammates as they merged. But both were great competitors, did not like to lose, did Ira? Also became good friends and admiration society. Norman loved to catch Ira and loved having him around as a teammate. A good man! Both of them. Probably warming up now for a little hit and pitch. I'm so sorry for your loss. Joanne Dickey

  • 10/17/2020

    Betty Hopson

    Dear Myrtle, Sue and Kathy, We have special memories of all our times together at Fairview. We are remembering all of you in our prayers. We are also praying for all of you that are recovering from Covid. Connie has dealt with that also. Betty Hopson, Teresa and Connie

  • 10/17/2020

    Don Thompson

    "Friendship akin to the lunar cycle it waxes and wanes but if true will faithfully rise time and time again." Well Ira, today you will be laid to rest in your beloved city of Sherman Texas but I know and those that knew you know that your soul is at rest and in the loving care and keeping of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ira I won't be there in person for your interment today but I'll be there in spirit. Life has intervened and I know you understand. I'll visit you a little later on. When first I met Ira and shook his hand I commented to him " sir you have an extraordinarily strong grip in that right hand". I suspected the man had been an athlete (we were both well advanced in age at the time) and would later learn that he had indeed been an athlete and an accomplished one as well ( fast pitch softball). That explained that strong right hand. We became fast friends Ira and me. We each have a love of the outdoors and spent many days together hunting and fishing. You quickly get the measure of a man when you accompany him afield and I soon learned that Ira Phillips was a fine man indeed! Ira never met a stranger. People just naturally gravitated to Ira for he had a kind and gentle spirit but a strength of character that was instantly recognizable. Ira Phillips was a strong man and a generous man! Ira is among and in the top tier of the finest men I've ever known and it was my privilege to be his friend. Well, enough of the accolades I wouldn't want to embarrass him. I will miss Ira but hope to see him again on the other side God willing. To his beloved wife Myrtle and to his children and all the rest of his family: MAY GOD CONSOLE YOU. Your Friend, Don Thompson

  • 10/16/2020

    kim hatch

    My deepest sympathy to your family. My dad was Frank Brown & was in the carpool to TI with Mr. Phillips. He was a very good friend to my dad & I'm grateful for their friendship. Kim Hatch

  • 10/16/2020

    Jim Adlof

    I remember Ira when I was a kid. I grew up across the street from Fairview Park and watched him pitch for Ken Murray. His pitches were so fast you couldn't see them. Something I have never forgotten. My older brother even played some with them. May God bless him and his family.

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