Harry G. Phillips Jr.

Harry G. Phillips Jr., 71, of Salina, passed away March 9, 2021 after a battle with ALS.  He was born in Salina, on October 20, 1949 to Harry G. Sr. and Jessie Phillips.  He married Susan Schafer in 1985.  After graduating from Salina High, Kansas Wesleyan with a bachelor’s in education, and K-State with a master’s in counseling, he taught social studies for two years at Salina, then spent 34 years as a High School guidance counselor in Solomon.  Harry loved bicycle rides with Susan, reading, watching sports, especially college basketball.  Longtime Salina residents may remember his parent’s decorations on the corner or Santa Fe and Prescott.  He and his wife Susan have carried on the tradition at the corner of Cloud and Roach for 33 years with their “calendar house.”  Harry loved growing flowers and spent countless hours in his yard, tending to flowers and feeding the birds.

He served on the Salina City Tree Committee for six years.  Among his favorite memories is attending the Kansas State Fair, beginning at age seven and every year since except for 1992 when both parents were in the hospital.  He will miss eating chicken and noodles and raisin cream pie at his favorite fair restaurant.

Survivors include his wife, Susan, of the home; brother, Randy Phillips (Debbie) of Hiawatha, very special niece, Rachel, of Hiawatha; step-son, Jeremy (Jennifer) Kahrs; and grandson Evan Kahrs, all of Springfield, MO; long time good friends Dale Haug and Joe Krause; hospice nurse Bridgette Dossett and aide, Jessica DeLair.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry Sr. and Jessie Phillips.

Service will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2021, at First Baptist Church, Salina.  Inurnment will be at later date in Gypsum Hill Cemetery.  Service will be online at https://www.facebook.com/salina1stbaptistchurch.

Memorials may be made to Solomon High School Alumni Scholarship or Kindred Hospice, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

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