SR0439LRB098 12742 MST 47224 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of James "Gib" Phillips of Benton, who 
4passed away on July 10, 2013; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, James Phillips was born on October 14, 1931, in 
6Benton to Erne and Sybel (nee Robertson) Phillips; he graduated 
7from Benton High School in 1949 and attended Southern Illinois 
8University in Carbondale; he served his country in the United 
9States Air Force and was a member of the Air Force Marching 
10Band that performed at the 1953 Rose Parade in Pasadena, 
11California; he married Bettye Lou Loften on June 29, 1957, in 
12Benton; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, James Phillips worked for the Amoco Oil Company 
14for 36 years, retiring in 1992 as field manager for the St. 
15Louis metropolitan territory; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, James Phillips had a passion for music all 
17throughout his life; from an early age he mastered both the 
18clarinet and saxophone; he loved playing for an audience 
19whether in public or at home with family and friends; he was a 
20member of the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band for 12 years and 
21performed regularly during church services for the First 
22Christian Church in Benton during his retirement; and
  
 
 
 
SR0439- 2 -LRB098 12742 MST 47224 r

1    WHEREAS, James Phillips devoted much of his time to 
2community service; he was a member of the Greater St. Louis Oil 
3Men's Club and, after retiring to Benton, served as a member 
4the Park Board, Tourism Board, Lion's Club, and the Southern 
5Illinois Municipal Band, president of the Rotary Club, and was 
6an elder and a choir member at the First Christian Church; and
 
7    WHEREAS, James Phillips was preceded in death by his 
8parents; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, James Phillips is survived by his wife of 56 
10years, Bettye Lou; his daughter, Jamie (Adrian) Toole; and his 
11grandchildren, Meredith Toole, Monica Toole, and Vance Toole; 
12therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15James Phillips, and extend our sincere condolences to his 
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
17further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of James Phillips as an expression of 
20our deepest sympathy.