James Phillips

Waynesville, James Harold "Jim" Phillips, age 58, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 10, 2010 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native of Saluda, NC, he had resided in Waynesville since 1986. Jim was the son of the late Harold "Bo" and Mary Brown Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Annie, and a dear grandmother, Mary Brown, who helped raise him. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Delores Coyne Phillips; a son, Jared Matthew Phillips; a daughter, Megan Rose Phillips and a grandson, Carson James Phillips. Jim was a devoted father, who enjoyed spending time with his children, grandson and family. Additional family include two sisters, Pamela Goolsby and her husband, Bill, of Mills River and their children, Shannon and Anna; MaryAnn Green and her husband, William, of Saluda and their daughter, Alexis; three brothers, Jeff Phillips of Saluda, Larry Phillips and his wife, Judy, of Cashiers and their children, Mica, Katelyn, and Ashley, and Jeremy Phillips and his wife, Kassie, of Saluda and their children, Bailey and Abby and his mother and father in- law, Tom and Hertha Coyne, of Fayetteville. Jim finished high school in Saluda and enrolled in college at Western Carolina University at the age of 16. In 1972 he received a Cum Laude BS degree in Physical Education. In 1973 Jim received a Masters of Arts degree in Physical Education. Following graduation he began teaching in public schools. In 1979, Jim completed his Doctorate of Education at the University of NC at Greensboro. He was hired by James Madison University in Virginia and taught there for one year before accepting a position as a professor at Montana State University, where he taught for seven years. In 1986, Jim and Delores moved to Waynesville, where he began work with Edward Jones Investments. His hard work and genuine care for his clients led to an outstanding business, and he earned national respect among his peers. He served as a General Partner for Edward Jones as well as being the Regional Leader for over 50 Western NC advisors. Jim received numerous awards, yet was humble in such recognitions. Jim was an faithful member of First Baptist Church of Waynesville and served as a deacon and on the finance committee among other roles. Jim was a generous supporter of many charities and served on the Community Foundation of Western NC and was a Trustee at Gardner Webb University. Jim was well known for his zeal in sports, particularly baseball. He coached at various levels for many years and collected quite an array of baseball gloves and other memorabilia. A funeral service for Jim will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Waynesville with the Reverend Dr. Robert Prince officiating. A Eulogy will be delivered by the Reverend Dr. Jack C. Bishop. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville. The family will also receive friends from 12:45 until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service in the chapel at the church. Serving as pallbearers, will be his brothers, Jeremy and Jeff Phillips, and Kurt Reid, Don Cooper, Jim Charles, Bill Teague and Sam Underwood. Honorary pallbearers will be brothers-in law, Bill Goolsby, Willliam Green, and Thomas Coyne, Jr. Memorials may be made to one's favorite charity or to First Baptist Church of Waynesville, P.O Box 690, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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