Ralph Phillips

Ralph M. Phillips, age 91, died July 16, 2015 in Lee's Summit, Missouri. He was born September 21, 1923 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Munson G. and Florence Pedersen Phillips. Ralph graduated from Emporia High School and attended the College of Emporia until joining the U.S. Navy in March, 1943. He served in the Pacific theater aboard the fleet tanker USS Escambia. He married Loretta Joyce Horn January 30, 1945 in Emporia, returning to the Navy until his discharge in November, 1945. After graduating with a degree in chemistry from the University of Kansas, he was employed by the Phillips Petroleum Company and lived in Borger, Texas and later the Kansas City area. After retirement, he and Loretta enjoyed numerous cruises and traveling by RV throughout the country. They both loved the mountains of Colorado and spent many summers there escaping the heat of Kansas City. They later lived in Marionville, Missouri before moving to Lee's Summit. Ralph is predeceased by three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by three children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Loretta, his wife of 70 years, survived him by less than 24 hours. Burial will be at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105.  https://www.stjude.org/

Visit Loretta's memorial at: http://www.johnsoncountychapel.com/obituaries/Loretta-Phillips-2/

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