John Phillips

John Thomas (J.T.) Phillips, 91 of Mansfield Texas, went to his heavenly home, Thursday June 24, 2021.

J.T. was born March 2, 1930 in Italy, Texas to Henry Thomas Phillips and Eunice (Mahone) Phillips.  He graduated from Italy High School in 1947.  On November 23, 1948, he married the love of his life, Mary Dee Allman in Italy, Texas. They had been married for almost 72 years, at her passing, October 2020.

The couple lived in Texas until 1967, when J.T.’s job moved them to Oklahoma, Louisiana and then New Mexico, finally returning to Texas in 1977.

J.T. was on active duty in the United States Marine Corp from 1950 to 1952, serving in the Korean War. He received the National Defense medal, Korean service medal (2 star) and United Nations service medal. He was in the Marine Corp Reserves until his Honorable Discharge on April 17th, 1960.

J.T. worked hard and had many jobs throughout his life. Early on, he was a soda jerk at the Candy Kitchen in Italy, a cook at the Italy Cafe, a factory and assembly line worker at Tyler Refrigeration and Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV). In Later life, he worked as a postman for the United States Postal Service, a property management specialist, property marketing specialist and auctioneer for General Services Administration (GSA), retiring from GSA with 31 years of service on December 31, 1988.

When living in Santa Fe, NM he taught himself to make jewelry using native rocks and turquoise. Also, he made sure to cut, split, stack and store firewood for the upcoming winter.

He was a life member of Thomas B. Hunter Masonic Lodge No. 1356 A.F. & A.M., serving as Worshipful Master 1967-1968.

He loved hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. J.T. was also famous for his gardening skills, especially his Bodacious corn crops.  He was “a jack of all trades” fixing things, building things and could repair almost anything that was broken, often improvising,       making his own tools if he didn’t have what was needed.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very precious to him. He always made time for them, holding them, taking them on what he called “making the rounds”, pushing them in a swing, or taking them for a ride on his big red 1954 Farmall H tractor.

J.T. was a member of various Baptist churches over the years, being ordained as Deacon of Harding Street Baptist Church in Baker, Louisiana and then continued his service as a member and Deacon of Sardis Baptist Church from June 1978 up until his passing. He taught Sunday School, led singing, served as treasurer--anything possible in service of the Lord and His church.

J.T. is survived by sister Virginia (Phillips) Lee and brother-in-law Mack Lee of Grand Prairie, brother Jerry Phillips of Minneola, daughter Pamela Whiteside of Mansfield, daughter Cindy and son-in-law Dino Lewis of Mansfield, son Tim and daughter-in-law Kay Phillips of Burleson, granddaughter Amy Whiteside,  grandson Brian Barnett and spouse Danielle, grandson Justin Barnett  and Stephanie, granddaughter Kimberly Gaudet and spouse Russell, grandson Jason Barnett and Nidia, grandson Joey Phillips, sister-in-law Barbara Rhodes of Thornton, sister-in-law Evie and spouse Butch Nichols of Mexia, brother-in-law Joe and spouse Theta Allman of Cabot Arkansas, great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Caleb and Rachel Paul, Braden and Lyla Barnett, Grayson and Weston Gaudet, Jacklyn and Henry Thomas Barnett, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Dee Allman Phillips, parents Henry Thomas and Eunice Mahone Phillips, his sisters Frances Phillips, Mary Catherine Berry, Lena Mae Bynum, and a brother Lesly Carlisle Phillips.

Visitation will be held from 6 pm. to 8 pm. on Tuesday, June 29, 2021at Wayne-Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie.

The funeral service will be held at 9 am. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Wayne-Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie, with Brother Eddie Marsh and Brother Jerry Phillips officiating. Graveside service at 11 a.m. and burial will be at Italy Cemetery, Italy Texas

Pallbearers will be Joey Phillips, Brian, Jason and Justin Barnett, Russell Gaudet, and Lesley Phillips.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Sardis Baptist Church, Waxahachie, Texas.