Jerry Lee Phillips

Jerry Lee Phillips, age 69, died Wednesday, May 19, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 30, 1940 in Waynesburg, PA to the late John & Gaynell (Edgar) Phillips. On June 17, 1961 Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Sally Horner, who survives, along with their 3 children, Patrick L. (Tammy) Phillips, Jerri Lynn (William) Smeltzer, & Gregory C. (Crystal) Phillips, 4 grandchildren, Patrick Steven (Megan) Phillips, Hannah Rose Smeltzer, Noah & Isabella Phillips, and 1 great-grandson, Cade Phillips, all of Chillicothe. He is also survived by sisters, Joanne (Ed) Haring, Marlene (Damon) Webb, Carol Keller, Jane (Kenneth) Stewart, & Jean Wise, half-brothers, Junior and Chuck Ponzoo, foster-sister Margaret Lemley, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by foster-parents, Jesse & Pearl Fox, and foster-brothers, Clarence & Stanley Fox, as well as brothers, Jack & John Phillips, and half-brother, Lee Ponzoo. After the breakup of his parents, Jerry, at age 7, along with his sisters, was placed in the Greene Co. (PA) Children's Home. At age 12 he became the foster-child of Jesse & Pearl Fox with whom he lived until he left for college. He was especially close to their grandson, Lewis Fox - a bond that has remained throughout the years. Jerry always felt that coming to live with Jesse & Pearl and their love and guidance was one of the turning points in his life. Jerry was an outstanding athlete in football and wrestling, and while attending Waynesburg High School was co-captain of the undefeated football team, was All County, All State, and played on the 1959 Pennsylvania "Big 33" football team. He was awarded a full football scholarship to the University of Cincinnati where he was a star player and undefeated wrestler. He had several pro teams interested in him but his football career was ended by a head injury. He graduated with a B.S. in Education from UC in 1965 and worked towards his Masters in Ed at both Ohio University & Ohio State University. In 1966 he started teaching at Chillicothe High School where he retired after 30 years in 1996. He taught Driver's Education, Health, and O.W.E. Jerry had a great love and rapport with teenagers and greatly enjoyed teaching them. In 2008 the Chillicothe Education Assoc. presented him with the "Educator Emeritus" award. Another great influence in Jerry's life was his parents in the Lord, the late Lenox Profitt, and his wife Roberta. They introduced him to the Apostolic faith where he gave his heart and life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 1964. He and his family have remained especially close to the Profitt family - particularly Roberta & Teresa (who lived with the family for 2 years), Profitt, and Lesa (Phil) Rutherford. Jerry has been a member of several local Apostolic churches where through the years he has served as a trustee, deacon, Sunday-school teacher, and youth leader. At his death he was a member of The Potter's House Apostolic Church, pastored by his son, Gregory Phillips. It was a great sense of pride to him that all 3 of his children, and grand-children serve the Lord, and that both sons are preachers. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, May 24, 2010 in the FAWCETT OLIVER GLASS AND PALMER FUNERAL HOME with Pastors Gregory & Patrick Phillips officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 pm until the hour of service on Monday. In keeping with Jerry's wishes, cremation will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association, Heartland Hospice, at 35 Bierly Road, Portsmouth, OH, 45662, or The Potter's House of Chillicothe, at 71 Limestone Blvd, Chillicothe, OH 45601.