Yes, For I am now ready and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me that day; and not to me only, but unto all those who wait with love for him to appear. II Timothy 4 6-8

Frederick Marion Phillips was born on August 5, 1934 to the loving union of Frederick Nathaniel Phillips, M.D. and Pearl Osborne Phillips in Kansas City, Kansas. He was raised in the AME Church and he read his bible daily until he could no longer. He graduated from Sumner High School and has a degree in Mortuary science. He served in the US Army National Guard at the LA-29 Missal Base in Brea, CA guarding a nuclear warhead missal until the based deactivated in 1971. He returned to Kansas to care for his aging parents and pursued his love of Mortuary science. Under his tutelage many apprenticed to become Embalmers and Funeral Directors. He retired from General Motors in his 50s and continued to work as an Embalmer and Funeral Director until he retired from Bowser and Johnson Funeral Home of Topeka Kansas in his early 70s. In his retirement he continued as a funeral director and consultant for Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel, Topeka, Kansas until his health began to fail.

Frederick was an exceptional cook and he enjoyed preparing meals for family: African Stew, Mexican cornbread, BBQ and the best guacamole served with Frito Lay corn chips not Tortilla chips. He loved music: gospel, classic R&B and jazz. He was an avid reader and loved to conversate late into the night. He had no problem discussing controversial topics; challenging all to think deeper and broader. He made sure that his children never missed each other birthdays; he would call to remind them to call their brother/sister because it was their birthday. When he learned how to text on his cell phone, he sent nightly text messages, saying Good night and I love you. How those texts are missed.

Frederick married and divorced twice. He was preceded in death by his parents, his baby sister Maybelle Lenore and two children: Bradley Kevin Phillips and Kimberly Melba Deanne Pestock.

To cherish his loving memory are his children: Roxanne Mare Phillips-Bradley (Rickey) Fairfield, CA, Lew Eric Barnes (Kim Elaine) San Diego, CA, Joycelene R. Cofield - Joy (Charles E. Jr) Kansas City, Kansas and Jeffrey Pestock, Kansas City, Kansas. Grandchildren: Rickey David Bradley (Lorelei), Gabrielle C'Mone and Sydney Jordan Barnes, Keaton Charles and Kennedy Joy Cofield, Jacob T., Justine R., and Garrett L. Pestock; several great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frederick M "Freddie" Phillips, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.