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Raymond Ellsworth Phillips

Raymond Ellsworth Phillips, of Rolla, went to be with the Lord, while in St. Luke’s Hospital, on Oct. 6, 2016, at the age of 79.

Raymond “Ray” was born in Caseyville, Ill., on Oct. 23, 1936 to the late Chester Ellsworth Phillips and Maple Lee Doris (Hurst) Phillips.

He married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Dungan, on June 8, 1958. They were blessed with 58 wonderful years of marriage and three daughters who were the joy of his life.

Ray accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a young boy and served Him in many capacities throughout his lifetime. He was a deacon, Sunday School director, a member of First Southern Baptist Church, Ava, Mo., and most recently Salem Avenue Baptist Church, Rolla. One of the most meaningful ways Raymond served the Lord was by loving others. Through his years as a store owner, he helped the less fortunate and gave to those in need on countless occasions. He truly had a heart of gold!

Ray graduated from Louisiana (Mo.) High School in 1954. He then attended college at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1958. Raymond was a manufacturing plant director for several different companies over the years beginning in New York. He managed Spalding Mfg., in Ava, Mo., from 1968-1974 and owned his own businesses (Otasco/Phillips Home Center) from 1975-1988. Later he led companies in Springfield, Cuba, and Siloam Springs, Ark. His wealth of knowledge and management expertise made him an asset to each company. He was a true visionary. Raymond was a talented architect as evidenced in the New England colonial homes he built. Each detail had purpose and meaning.

Of all of Raymond’s accomplishments and life achievements, he was most proud of his children.

In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by a niece, Carrie Lynne.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; children, Loire Monique Aubrey and husband Mark, of Guymon, Okla., Julie Lynn Roberts and husband Gary, of Houston, Texas, and Amy Brooke Perkins and husband Larry, of Neosho, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Justin, Tanner, Haley, Jennifer, Bryton, Braden, and Annie; and a great-grandchild is expected in December. He is also survived by a brother, Terry Phillips and wife Marilyn, of Richmond, Mo., and a niece, Tera Dawn Holland and husband Richard, of Olathe, Kan.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Raymond Phillips was held at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at the Salem Avenue Baptist Church in Rolla. The committal and interment service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11  at the Riverview Cemetery in Louisiana, Mo. A visitation for family and friends was held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9  at the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the HavenHouse St. Louis, in care of Null & Son Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be offered at www.nullandsonfuneral home.com.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla.