Obituary of Roy Phillips

Roy R. "Rusty" Phillips born December 16, 1969, Dayton OH, died peacefully Friday, November 9, 2012 at his mother's home in his family's loving embrace after a heroic 14-month Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer battle. Gracefully accepting his fate upon cancer treatment failure, Rusty gallantly focused on comforting others, shielding loved ones from his pain as long and as best he could. "Livin' the dream" was his oft-said motto both before and during his illness. Preceded in death by: paternal grandparents Howard and Edith Phillips, formerly of Gratis OH; maternal grandparents Charles and Mary Fister, Dayton OH; paternal aunt Bonnie Phillips, Huber Heights OH; toddler paternal uncle Eddie Phillips, Trenton OH; maternal aunts Judy Huelsman, Bourbonnais IL; Dianne Fister, Washington CH OH; infant maternal uncle Dennis Fister, Dayton OH; maternal cousin Timmy Fister, New Lebanon OH; childhood best friend Anthony "Tony" Davis, Eldorado OH. Rusty's survivors include his four children: Owen, Silas, Elliot, Cecilie Phillips, residing with their mother Sydney Phillips, Belton SC; father Russell "Russ", step-mother Carole Phillips, Oregonia OH; mother Carolyn "Carol", step-father William "Dale" Weddington, Dayton OH; sister Laura, brother-in-law Jon Bango, nieces Grace, Chloe, nephew Ian, Marietta GA; half-sister Brenda, brother-in-law Randy Brown, Lilburn GA. Paternal aunts, uncles, cousins: Betty, Paul Roman, Franklin IN, cousins Judi, Barb, Linda, David, Tim, Tammy; Roger Phillips, Trenton OH, cousin Greg. Maternal aunts, uncles, cousins: Nancy, Bob Ditch, Ariton AL, cousins Colleen, John, Tammy, Debbie, Mike Knapp; Clete Huelsman, Bourbonnais IL, cousins Pam, Susan, Dan, Amy, Chris, Andy, Heidi; Chuck, Jean Fister, Fayetteville GA, cousins Denise, Kelli, Ryan; Elaine, Bruce Albright, Beavercreek OH, cousins Kerri, Ed, Ben; Tom, Vicki Fister, Morning Sun OH, cousin Scott; Tim, JoAnne Fister, New Lebanon OH, cousin Johnathan; Kevin, Debbie Fister, Leesburg OH, cousins Jason, Greg; Debbie, Gene Miller, Kernersville NC, cousins David, Matt, Megan; Mike, Pam Fister, Trotwood OH, cousins Justin, MacKenzie; Brian, Bobbie Fister, Madeira Beach FL, cousins Nick, Aaron, Bryan, Meg; Patti, Rich Mercer, Soddy Daisy TN, cousins Beki, Kyle; Jim, Abby Fister, Burlington NC, cousin Tyler; Julie, Bob Spurling, Dayton OH, cousins Adam, Rob. Survivors also include many extended-family members. Respectful, loyal, loving, cheerful Rusty will be remembered fondly for his appetite quirks, quick wit, delightfully dry sense of humor, "think outside the box" intelligence, adaptability, selflessness, gift of gab, ability to make friends with just about anyone, anywhere. As a boy growing up near rural Eldorado OH, Rusty loved country living, his close relationships with sister Laura, his best friend and neighbor Tony Davis, special friends Meg and Georgia Grant, helping Dad with chores, driving Dad's tractor, enjoying June multi-family vacations at Michigan's Gun Lake, weekend family fishing trips, parties, visits with relatives or friends. Graduated 1988 National Trail High School in Preble County OH; handsome, 6' 2", sandy-blonde hair, blue-eyed, popular Rusty was elected Class President both his junior and senior years. After a year's hiatus during which he lived in the Swerer family Preble Co home helping work the family's pig farm while also working at a Richmond IN corrugated casket factory, Rusty graduated 1994 Miami University, Oxford OH earning a BS degree in Engineering Management through hard work and self-sacrifice. Proud of his "Independent Student" status, Rusty paid for his education via a five-year work/study program, a student job at US Gypsum North Kansas City plant, KS, careful money management, small grants, loans, scholarships. In 1990 Rusty earned The Pulp & Paper Foundation Scholarship from MU's School of Applied Science, Paper Science, and Engineering Department, "In recognition of meritorious academic achievements, exemplary character, and outstanding leadership qualities…" After graduation Rusty hired on with Orr Felt Co, Piqua OH, married the former Sydney Simpson, transferred to Wausau WI where their son Owen was born in 1996. He moved his family to Asheville NC in sales/service for Nalco Chemical. He transferred to Columbia SC, birthplace of sons Silas, Elliot, and daughter Cecilie. After an economic downturn, job loss, unprofitable stint taking legal depositions, he moved to Belton SC, hired on with engineering firm Amec International, Greenville SC office, commuted throughout southeastern US, then to Canada in 2009. Rusty found the shores of Lake Huron and the adjoining peaceful countryside to his liking, adapting easily to Canadian life where he enjoyed the local hockey games, learned the sport of curling, went whitewater rafting, became a fan of Tim Horton's Ice Capps and the local libations. Rusty made many Canadian friends, where prior to his disability he was proud to be employed as a contract "PRO-ject" Manager (Canadian emphasis on "Pro") at the Bruce Power Nuclear Energy Plant, Port Elgin, Ontario. Special Canadian friends: Jenny Jones, Canadian Tire Store "Good Samaritan" who aided Rusty following his grand mal seizure suffered September 18, 2011; Amec/Bruce Power co-workers; Toyota Landcruiser buddies. "Off-roading" with Canadian or US friends in his beloved black 1996 Toyota Landcruiser, a beast of a SUV sporting 340,000 odometer miles still going strong, Rusty delighted that country music star Faith Hill was its reputed previous owner. Working in Canada made non-custodial parenting difficult, but Rusty stayed involved in his children's lives as he was able, volunteering as a crewmember for their Christian Youth Theatre performances, attending, cheering school, band, or sports activities. When he wasn't commuting long weekends for parental visitations, he kept in touch electronically. Member of Glock International, in the US Rusty enjoyed target practice adeptly firing his favorite handgun; was self-taught handcrafting leather holsters. He was a SC-certified range officer proud of his "Concealed Carry" gun permit. Rusty enjoyed singing: karaoke with his friends, his personal favorite his rendition of "Busta Move"; more recently, chorale with his Dad and step-mom Carole at Sunday worship service. Rusty preferred a minimalist lifestyle, but he was generous to the wants and needs of his family especially, and those less fortunate than he. After standard brain cancer treatments failed him, Rusty refused promising "out of network" care in order to preserve his estate for his family's benefit. The lessons he learned achieving self-sufficiency are part of the legacy he desired to leave his children. May Owen, Silas, Elliot, and Cecilie find honor, respect, and pride in their Dad's legacy, learn from his wisdom, forgive him his errors, and know that he loved them with all his heart. No earthly father could have loved more. Rusty's family of origin wishes to thank all the medical professionals and support staff who touched Rusty's life during the course of his illness. We are grateful for the care, support, friendship of: Lori Baker, Rusty's former home care nurse, whose constancy was an immense comfort to him and to his parents; Eldorado Unitarian-Universalist Church members, including long-time friends the Raymond, Siler, Stayton families; Ann Osinga and Mary Lafary, Bloomington IN neighbors who befriended Rusty and his Mom during proton treatment residence; GBM "twin brother" Ken Maudsley, Decatur GA, for his friendship, encouragement. We are thankful for everyone's kindness, consideration; much-needed support during Rusty's cancer journey given in so many ways: words, deeds, prayers, thoughts, cards, letters, visits, calls, gifts. Funeral service for Rusty will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the Heritage Presbyterian Church, 6546 South Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040, (513) 398-7671. Visitation at the church will be from noon to time of service. Light refreshments available pre- and post-service. Per Rusty's advance directive, his body will repose in a corrugated casket, in deference to his post-high school casket factory job. Rusty wanted everyone in attendance to autograph his casket; their remembrances to be part of his ashes. Final disposition: cremation. Service director: Thomas-Justin Funeral Home, Telephone 513-791-5353. Rusty's Facebook page and/or on-line memorials: http://thomasjustinmemorial.com/home.html are welcome and appreciated. In lieu of flowers, Rusty requested that donations be made to Hospice of the Miami Valley, 46 North Detroit Street, Xenia OH 45385 (937) 458-6028 or to the cancer charity of one's choice. Per Rusty's directive, at the family's convenience private services will be held honoring Rusty with memorial bench installations: one at his father's church; one at a Canadian location to be determined. Rusty, after traveling the road less traveled, may your sweet soul rest in peace so well deserved. You are sadly missed by all who love you, but we rejoice that you are with God free at last from pain and suffering. Until we meet again eternally, Rusty dear son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, father and friend, we recall and bid you your favorite fond farewell: "Cheers."