GLADEWATER MEMORIAL PARK - UPSHUR COUNTY

		
Reuben Ernest Phillips

May 29, 1922 - Jul. 24, 2012

Reuben was born in Gladewater, Texas where he grew up and graduated from Gladewater High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the beginning of World War II to serve his beloved country escorting aircraft carriers in the South Pacific as a Torpedoman on the destroyer USS Gridley DD-380. In 1981 he retired from the US Naval Reserve after 35 years of service.

Reuben retired from the BF Goodrich Company after 33 years, then again from The University of Texas at Tyler after an additional 10 years of service.

Reuben was affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas, Gladewater Lodge 852. He was also a dedicated member of the Sharon Temple Shriner's Lodge in Tyler.

Mr. Phillips was a Christian and attended Southern Oaks Baptist Church in Tyler, until his health declined. 

He was preceded in death by his father William Reuel Phillips, mother Katie Bell Phillips, brother Ben Phillips, and son Joel Phillips. 

He is survived by his sister Evelyn Kassed, son Tommy Phillips and wife Cyndi, daughter Dee Ann Smith and husband Gary, grandchildren Stacey Kirkpatrick and husband Brian Stephens, Kristi McCarty and husband Brent, Jill Phillips, Jay Phillips and wife Michelle, great-grandchildren Grant McCarty, Andrew McCarty, Parker Phillips, Olivia Stephens, Haley and Hampton Phillips.