Mr. James Kermit "Kip" Phillips, Jr., 76 of Benton, Kentucky died on Thursday, September 12, 2019, at Marshall Co. Hospital in Benton, KY.
Mr. Phillips started his career in 1969 at Airco (Air Products) Chemical. His list of titles throughout his employment with the union include: 1972 - Recording Secretary of OCAW local 3-727, 1974 - Operating Vice President OCAW 3-727, 1975 - President OCAW 3-727, 1979 - KY State AFL-CIO Executive Board, 1979 - OCAW V.P. District 3 Council, 1982 - OCAW President district 3 Council, 1985 - OCAW International Member Committee, 1989 - OCAW International Executive Board, 1994 - OCAW Vice President, 1999 - PACE International V.P./Director of Governmental Affairs, 2005 - USW International V.P./ Director of Nuclear sector, and he retired in 2014.
He was also an active part in his community, and was involved in the following: KY Economic Development Partnership Board, KY Honorary Ambassador of Labor, Marshall County School Board, KY Labor Management Advisory Board, and was Director for the Center for Labor Education and Research at University of KY.
He received the W.C. Young award, was designated an "Outstanding Kentuckian" by KY House of Representatives, and was Commissioned a Kentucky Colonel.
He traveled the country, meeting union members from Maine to California, frequently speaking to local union halls, often weaving history into his remarks. He helped thousands and thousand of men and women achieve a better quality of life and a much safer place to work.
He lived his life in service to others, always looking for opportunities to help anyone and everyone he could.
Born Thursday, September 24, 1942, he was the son of the late James Phillips and the late Kathleen (Lovelace) Phillips.
Surviving are his wife, Carolyn June (Wiles) Phillips of Benton, KY, sons, Scott Phillips, wife Lori of Benton, KY and Kyle Phillips, wife Angela of Benton, KY, sister, Elizabeth Mercer of Stoughton, MA; and 5 grandchildren, Sydney, Dylan, Isaiah, Grace and Killian.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Janice Smith and Karen Balez, and 1 grandchild, Joshua.
A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Collier Funeral Chapel located at 211 West 5th St. Benton, KY 42025.
Visitation will be held after 5:00 PM on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th, Benton, KY.
Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Fairdealing Cemetery, Benton, KY.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Benton Church Of Christ Scholarship Fund, 3091 Main St. Benton, KY 42025 or the Marshall Co Exceptional School, PO Box 423 Benton, KY 42025.
