Perry Dale Philips
February 24, 1926 – May 3, 2013
Often people say that a life, once passed, is reduced to a simple dash between two dates. Perry, Dale or “Pappy,” as most knew him by, however, filled that dash with an amazing amount of life and love. He was a wonderful man that all would call themselves privileged to know. Everything he did, he did fully and completely, even to his final hours. He lived fully, he loved his family completely, and his word was always gold. He is and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 69+ years, Bernice “Bea” Philips; children, Nikki, and her husband, Chris Long, and Richard, and his wife, Rosie Philips; sister, Jane Cleveland; nine grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Perry Boone Philips; mother, Ollie May Mahoney; daughter, Carol Noel and great great granddaughter, Sadie Rainford.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Perry Dale Philips to North Puget Cancer Center, 2000 Hospital Drive Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel.
Dad,
You are my hero, and always have been. Your love for family and dedication to those you knew was delightfully peppered with your wonderful since of humor. You are, and will remain, the best man I have ever known. I love you Daddy! – Vera May aka Nikki
Grandpa,
A Grandpa as dear as you
makes life more special.
Although the years in passing
have a way of changing things.
They’ll never change the love
and warmth that thinking of you brings.
For you’re the kind of Grandfather
who’s dearer than you know,
and this is a chance
to fondly tell you so.
I love you Grandpa .
Stephanie O
Dale was an active member of the Cape Horn Development for many years. I had the pleasure of meeting him at our Annual Meetings, Board Meetings and also through our mutual friend Bert Holmes. He was always checking up on Bert even though he had health problems of his own. Always had a cheerful spirit about him that was contageous to all those around him. He will be missed by his many friends here in the Cape. Our prayers go out to Bea and her family and friends. This world could use a lot more good men like him!
Grandpa, what lovely words were written about you and how true they are.
I don’t remember the nick-name Pappy, but as much love you shared with me – and the many people that told me that you one of their favorite people… I’m not surprised there is still so much more I could have known. I do hope to learn more about you through others – for the rest of my life.
I’m going to miss your accent, your upbeat and positive attitude and how you would always be moving… doing something and making a positive and/or comforting impression on someone.
I will miss your saying, “Does the Bear Poopie in the Woods”, instead of just answering… Yes.
I will miss your collections of “STUFF”, and how fun it was to look through it and ask what it’s used for or what it was. For me it was exciting times of discovery, and what I learned from you was my treasure. Thank You for always having time for me!
I’ll miss everything about you, but so blessed to have Grandma, Mom, Uncle Richard, Sisters and Cousins in my life to share the things with me that you have instilled in their personalities – you made it so I will always have a part of you, again Thank You!
I am honored to be your grand-daughter and thank you for making your shoes extremely tough to fill.
I am and will continue to be inspired, proud, and lucky… and I hope to make you very proud.
One more thing… the lucky horse shoe that you gave Tony?!, who you call my better half : ), he still hasn’t tilted it to catch the luck, as you said he should. Tony says that it will hold more luck if it is hung like a cup… we’ll see : ).
I love you Grandpa,… I love you!,
Kim
Growing up in Concrete I was privileged to play softball and watch hours of softball at the old grade school gym. There was not a game go by when you wouldnt look out into center field and see Dale sitting in his lawn chair in front of his service station watching the games. When my brother Dennis was up to bat he would reach under that chair and get out his ball glove because he knew Dennis was going to aim for him window. He probly saved himself a couple thousand dollars with that glove.
The older I got and eventually moved away it was always comforting to see that either his lawn was mowed or he was on the mower when I would come home to visit my Dad who lived down the street. The street I grew up on and lived on for more than 30 years. Dale was a fixture in my life for as far back as I can remember. Standing in his yard smiling while I taught my boys to ride their bikes in front of his house. Watching everyday as they got on or off the bus.
Dale, I hope where ever you are that you are being embraced by the love and warmth you deserve. By the people who went before you and be there welcoming the people who will come after. You will be missed by many.
Dear Grandpa,
I feel a huge hole in my heart! When I think about you I feel so special. Special because I was so blessed to have you in my life – so blessed to have you as a Grandfather and so blessed to have been loved by you. You’ve left such an imprint in my life and the lessons I learned from you stay with me always. “Your word is your bond” may be just 5 simple words but they are so important to live by. You gave your word to your Bride and here it is almost 70 years later and you are still with her. I don’t know many people who even live 70 years, Grandpa – so to keep a promise to love, honor and cherish someone for that long is very impressive. I know she is not hard to love, but it is still a love story that I will always use as an example in my own life and I will make sure that Nikki G. realizes how important it is in her life too. When I tell people about the two of you I get the same reaction… they all say “awe!” So when I think about the greatest love of all — it is you and Grandma! How will she get by without you? How will any of us get by without you?
The strength you showed to me while fighting your cancer was amazing. I remember calling you up when I found out about my cancer and I said “Grandpa, I’m scared!” You said to me “well, when you feel that way just call me up and we’ll work it out.” You were so gracious to me… I called you often – scared – but you joked with me and made me feel like it will all be okay. You were right Grandpa – it all turned out okay.
The way you love my daughter is so beautiful. I know she made you so very happy but you made her equally as happy. She talks about you and Grandma all the time. She will always know you, she will always love you and she will always remember the times she had with you. Thank you for giving her that – it means the world to me.
I know you are resting in peace now and you are surrounded by so many of your loved ones. Please save a spot for me, Grandpa – I will want to be right next to you! My love to you forever – Tree