1931
Earl
2022
Earl James Phillips
May 1, 1931 — January 30, 2022
Kalamazoo
Earl James (Jim) Phillips (age 90) of Portage died peacefully the evening of Sunday, January 30th with his family at his side.
Jim was born May 1st, 1931, the only child of Earl and Rose (Chapman). He grew up in Detroit, but also spent a lot of time in Negaunee, where his parents were from. In his youth, he was a good natured altar boy who always managed to hold down a job. He was good looking, charming and mischievous. After graduating from high school, he found work as a draftsman before enlisting in the Navy. During his hitch as a corpsman, he took leave and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Betsy) Barnes.
After his discharge, Jim went to college on the GI Bill and became a school teacher. Later, he earned a master's degree and became the vocational director for Utica Community Schools.
Jim was skilled at many things. In his spare time, he designed and built motor scooters, go-carts and wooden boats. He could fix anything. He learned to fly. He raced motorcycles. He was an avid sailor in the Lake St. Clair region. He was pretty good at bowling and golf. He was dapper and a good dancer. He liked banter, and could give and take a good ribbing.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Betsy and partner Marilyn Lorentz ,and is survived by his three sons - Mike (Lisa) of Vicksburg, Thom (Lane) of Portage, and David (Sharie) of Holland, 7 grandchildren James (Katie) Phillips, Ryland (Vanessa) Phillips, Alden Phillips), Elizabeth (Taylor) Otten, Sarah (Matt) Klaus, Maegan (Christopher) Amato, Chelsea (Tyler) Van Tubbergen, and ten great grandchildren.
Jim was a long-time member of St. Luke's Church in Kalamazoo and, recently, Lord of Life Church in Portage. His family wishes to thank Jim's caregivers Laurie, Brenda, and dear friend Tom II, as well as the incredible staff at Amber Place for their tireless love and support.
Though Jim's request was to be set adrift in a burning boat, he will be interred with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery alongside Betsy, his wife of fifty-eight years. There will be a Celebration of Life for Jim on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Schrier Park 850 Osterhout Ave. Portage, MI 49002, rain or shine. Friends are invited to drop by from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.
Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 411 E Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49002. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Heritage Community of Kalamazoo, 2300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001. Please specify the Employee Tip Fund.
Jim was born May 1st, 1931, the only child of Earl and Rose (Chapman). He grew up in Detroit, but also spent a lot of time in Negaunee, where his parents were from. In his youth, he was a good natured altar boy who always managed to hold down a job. He was good looking, charming and mischievous. After graduating from high school, he found work as a draftsman before enlisting in the Navy. During his hitch as a corpsman, he took leave and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Betsy) Barnes.
After his discharge, Jim went to college on the GI Bill and became a school teacher. Later, he earned a master's degree and became the vocational director for Utica Community Schools.
Jim was skilled at many things. In his spare time, he designed and built motor scooters, go-carts and wooden boats. He could fix anything. He learned to fly. He raced motorcycles. He was an avid sailor in the Lake St. Clair region. He was pretty good at bowling and golf. He was dapper and a good dancer. He liked banter, and could give and take a good ribbing.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Betsy and partner Marilyn Lorentz ,and is survived by his three sons - Mike (Lisa) of Vicksburg, Thom (Lane) of Portage, and David (Sharie) of Holland, 7 grandchildren James (Katie) Phillips, Ryland (Vanessa) Phillips, Alden Phillips), Elizabeth (Taylor) Otten, Sarah (Matt) Klaus, Maegan (Christopher) Amato, Chelsea (Tyler) Van Tubbergen, and ten great grandchildren.
Jim was a long-time member of St. Luke's Church in Kalamazoo and, recently, Lord of Life Church in Portage. His family wishes to thank Jim's caregivers Laurie, Brenda, and dear friend Tom II, as well as the incredible staff at Amber Place for their tireless love and support.
Though Jim's request was to be set adrift in a burning boat, he will be interred with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery alongside Betsy, his wife of fifty-eight years. There will be a Celebration of Life for Jim on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Schrier Park 850 Osterhout Ave. Portage, MI 49002, rain or shine. Friends are invited to drop by from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.
Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 411 E Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49002. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Heritage Community of Kalamazoo, 2300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001. Please specify the Employee Tip Fund.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Earl James Phillips, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Sunday, May 1, 2022
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Schrier Park
Guestbook
Visits: 10
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors