Richard Phillips

On August 25th, 2016, due to complications from an infection, Richard Hendricks Phillips passed away at 4:45 a.m. in his home near Lincoln, New Mexico. He died in the company of Elissa Phillips, his loving wife of 63 years, his daughter Rebecca Ferguson, his son-in-law Matt Ferguson, and his two dogs, Molly and Zipper.

Richard was born in Roswell, New Mexico, on the 20th of September, 1930. The son of Edgar and Harriet (Hattie) Phillips, he grew up during the harsh years of the Great Depression, absorbing the American work-ethic that defined him. He loved his family, his friends, and just about everyone else who he met.
Shortly after graduating from Capitan High School in 1948, he went into partnership with his brother, Joe. On March 27th, 1953, Richard married the one true love of his life, Elissa Frazier. Together with Joe, he built a gasoline and propane distribution business that enabled him to befriend half the people in Lincoln and Chavez Counties, along with everyone who happened to be sitting in a coffee shop whenever he walked in. For ten years, Richard proudly served on the School Board for Capitan High School and he donated his time to promoting activities for Lincoln County's young people.
He loved family, he loved work, and he loved people. He will be ready when his local coffee shop crowd meets again.
Those of us he left behind, his wife, his children, his family, and all who knew him, will miss this wonderful man, whom God placed on this Earth to bring joy to the lives of so many.

He is survived by his wife, Elissa, his children, Rick Phillips, Kirk Phillips, Becca Ferguson, and Poco Gorby, grandchildren Heather Phillips, Brooke Cullen, Kris Davis, Joel Ferguson, Sarah Ferguson, Cody Fouratt, Shianna Gorby, Cassidy Gorby, and his great grandson, Brody Cullen. He is also survived by his brother, Joe, and his sisters, Mary Lou Welsh and Ethyl Lynn Werner. Beyond that, he is survived and treasured by the many beloved members of his extended family and his dear friends.

The memorial service will conducted by Mr. Brian Orchard at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30th, in the Armstrong Tabernacle, next to the Angus Church of the Nazarene. It is located near Capitan, New Mexico on the southwest corner of HWY37 & HWY48.

In lieu of flowers, Richard's family asks that you please make a small donation in his memory to the following charity: Capitan Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Robert Barber, PO Box 126, Capitan, NM 88316

Service

Funeral Service

Armstrong Tabernacle
Highway 48 & 37 at Bonito Campground
Capitan, NM  88316
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
1:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Angus Cemetery
Highway 37 & 48
Angus, NM  88312

Memorial Contributions

Capitan Alumni Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 126
Capitan, NM  88316