James Thomas "Tommy" Phillips Funeral services for James Thomas "Tommy" Phillips will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Wade Ricks officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Phillips, 75, of the Suqualena Community passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at Anderson Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 7, 1938, in Ward, Alabama. Mr. Phillips was retired from Roadway Express after thirty-two years of service. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Collinsville. James, known as "JT" to his fellow truck drivers, "Tommy" to his many friends, and "Oppa" to his grandchildren and great-grandchild lived a very blessed life full of laughter, joy and love. He may not have obtained scholarly recognition or academic strides in his lifetime but what he achieved was far greater. He spent his life sacrificing and providing for his wife and four daughters without one thought of self. He loved his wife beyond measure and every breath he took was for her. He was full of uncanny wit, worldly knowledge, and as once stated by his oldest grandchild, "Oppa can fix anything". His love for others was so evident that to know him was to love him. James also had a love for dirt track racing and over the decades was an active part of his "racing" family from driving that "38 Special" car in the earlier years to working at the track in the latter years. But beyond all of this, he was a man of God. He loved the Lord and took every opportunity to share the word with others. He leaves behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. He is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Muriel Curtis Phillips; children, Tina James and husband, Gary of Collinsville, April Faerber of Collinsville, Shannon Olmstead and husband, Jim of Austin, Texas and Heather Bunyard and husband, Jamie of Bailey; grandchildren, Zach Chisolm, Noah James, Jenna Faerber, Landon Faerber, Jonah-Luke James, Branson Bunyard, Madison Brondel, Emma James, Gracie Bunyard, Isaac James, and Maddie Kate Bunyard; great- grandchild, Ryder Chisolm; sister, Anna Moore of Meridian; and brother, Dr. Clyde Phillips of Tupelo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Azilean Phillips. Pallbearers will be George Gretschel, Bill Boyd, Tom Butler, Rudy Corley, Gary Langley, Jerry Boatner and Wayne Roberts. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting any donations made to First Baptist Church of Collinsville building fund or the Wounded Warrior Project. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at robertbarhamffh.com. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home
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