Donald Phillips

Funeral services for Donald E Phillips, 79 of Temple will be held 1:00 PM on Tuesday November 25, 2014, at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton with Pastor Rick Reed officiating. Visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 PM Monday, November 24, 2014, at Dossman Funeral Home. Donald E Phillips passed away Thursday, November 20, 2014 at his home. He was born March 15,1935 in Castlewood, Virginia to Caudle Preston Phillips and Cora Bryant Phillips. Donald married Irene Solomon on October 18,1958 in Temple. Donald served in the Army stationed in Germany and Korea. He was involved with Temple Little League Baseball coaching David's teams. Donald worked for Downtown Dairy Queen in Temple for 45 years retiring in 1997. He received many awards and accomodations from Dairy Queen. Don and Irene help change the lives of many kids that worked for them over the years. He was like a dad to them willing to help in any way he could. In 2011 Don and Irene help his son and daughter-in-law open and operate Phillabees Family Eatery in Little River/Academy. He really enjoyed getting to know many special people to know from Academy and surrounding communities. Don became ill while at Phillabees and appreciated the love and support he received from the kids that worked at Phillabees and the community. This helped keep him going for much longer that expected. One of his hobbies was bowling which he loved. He made lots of special friends there. He was inducted into the Temple Bowling Association Hall of Fame and served as well on the bowling association board. Fishing was his second favorite thing to do. He loved taking his grandkids there to show them his love for fishing. Donald's family was the most important thing to him. He loved spending time with them and making special memories. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He was so proud of each of them. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 56 years Irene, his son, David Eugene Phillips (Theresa), daughter, Paula Jean Byrd (Roy), two sisters, Ruth Swicegood and Molly Hodges, four grandchildren, Matthew Byrd (JaCee) , Melinda Byrd, Kinley Phillips and Kylar Phillips two great grandchildren, Jaxson Byrd and Whitley Byrd.