Charles Guy Phillips

Charles Guy Phillips

September 3, 1945 - August 27, 2020

On August 27, 2020, we lost a great man, a brave hero, a fantastic father and a true love. Charles Guy Phillips was born on September 3, 1945 in Lexington, Kentucky at Saint Joseph Hospital to Edward Phillips and Maude Durbin Phillips. He had three sisters, Carolyn, Marilyn and Lee Ann and one brother, Edward, Jr. He grew up in Lee County, Kentucky. He attended Eastern Kentucky University and graduated in 1967. At E.K.U., he met his wife, Joyce McKenzie. He spent his fifty-three year marriage to her holding her hand. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant and served in the Vietnam War. He received numerous medals, including several bronze stars for valor. After Vietnam, he returned to E.K.U., received his M.B.A. in 1970 and became a Certified Public Accountant.

Charles worked at Arthur Andersen in Chicago, Illinois and Ernst & Ernst in Lexington, Kentucky before moving to Corbin, Kentucky. Charles and Joyce raised three children, Laura Ann (married to Terry Riley), Charles Matt (married to Lisa Woods and parents of Charles Reed) and Nathan Edward (married to Erica West and parents of Evie Ann and Susannah Louise). Charles practiced accounting in Barbourville, Kentucky first with Steve Evans and recently had decided to retire from his practice that he shared with his son, Matt. Charles practiced accounting over fifty years.

Charles enjoyed being a loving grandfather, spending time with family, attending Sunday school, reading, traveling, working, going to the movies, talking on the phone with his brother and sisters, and being around people.

Charles was a Catholic and also attended Grace on the Hill. He was a spiritual man and reminded his children of the Golden Rule before he dropped them off at school when they were young. He was a respected member of his community and in his profession. During his lifetime, he was a member of many Boards and Associations, including Chairman of the Board of Marymount Hospital in London, Kentucky and as a member of the Board of Directors of Union National Bank in Knox County, Kentucky, where he made many good life long friends, namely Ray Canady, Andreae Collins, John Anderson, Jerry Carey and Barry Penn. Charles was a patriot and cherished the privilege he was recently given by Honor Flight Kentucky to travel with fellow veterans to Washington, D.C.

On August 27, 2020, one week before his seventy-fifth birthday, Charles Guy Phillips left this world to join those who had gone before him. He fought a valiant battle with cancer and he fought it surrounded by his family and friends. At the time of his passing, he was with his wife, three children and Father Anthony at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He is survived by his immediate family, grandchildren and sisters and brother.

He will be missed, grieved and mourned for by countless friends and family. Hopefully when he is remembered, it is with the message he gave his children all of those years before he sent them off to learn and grow, before he said good-bye, “Have a good day and remember the Golden Rule!”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and with respect to all those who erred on the side of caution around him due to his illness, the family has chosen to share in a private ceremony at Hart Funeral Home to be officiated by Pastor Scott Wilson of Grace on the Hill. He will be laid to rest at Pine Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life ceremony will be held as soon as conditions improve so that all friends and family can safely and lovingly share a proper remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Charles’ memory to a homeless shelter, church or a community member. Charles believed in helping those in need.

15 Comments
  • Catherine Siler
    Posted at 19:52h, 29 August Reply

    Love you all! Praying for you in the coming days.

  • Jim Graham
    Posted at 19:54h, 29 August Reply

    To Joyce, Laura, Matt & Nathan:
    Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult of times. Charlie was “one of a kind”. He always thought of other’s needs ( even before his own )! He will always be in our hearts and “front and center in our memories” of the forty+ years of our friendship. Please do not hesitate to call if we can be helpful in any way. May Charlie RIP!
    Our Deepest Sympathies,
    Jim & Jan Graham

  • John Logan
    Posted at 20:35h, 29 August Reply

    Joyce
    I’m so sorry and you and your family have my condolences. Charles was a wonderful man. He and Steve both taught me accounting at Union college and gave me my first accounting job upon graduating. Charley and I shared lunch and conversation nearly every day for several years before I moved to London. He loved his family and was so proud of each of you. Charlie always treated me so well and he will truly be missed. What a fine man. God Bless your family.
    John Logan

  • Bill and Loti Jones
    Posted at 00:34h, 30 August Reply

    Our deepest sympathies to you and your family during the difficult time.

  • Barbara Kincaid
    Posted at 01:07h, 30 August Reply

    To Charlie’s family I send my sympathy and prayers for the loss of your loved one. May God bless each of you.

  • Jack and Ann Ketcham
    Posted at 04:27h, 30 August Reply

    We are so sorry for your loss.

  • Barbara McKenzie Rupp
    Posted at 12:19h, 30 August Reply

    Hi Joyce and family-I’m so very sorry to hear about Charlie’s passing. Please know prayers are lifted.
    Barbara Ann

  • Mary Lehmann
    Posted at 20:27h, 30 August Reply

    I was so shocked to hear of Charlie’s passing.He was a fine man and friend. God Bless all of you. Rest in peace Charlie.

  • Les Williamson
    Posted at 19:22h, 31 August Reply

    He was a great man. It was a honor to know him. He will be missed

  • Ralph stephens
    Posted at 19:44h, 31 August Reply

    Condolences to the family. He was a great man and I always enjoyed being around him. Praying for God’s comfort and peace for the family

  • Bonnie Hellard Reed
    Posted at 23:55h, 31 August Reply

    Prayers for all of you! Praying God will give you strength and comfort! ! Bill and Wendy told me so many good things about your family!

  • Vivian C Zehr
    Posted at 21:07h, 02 September Reply

    I was saddened to read of Charlie’s death. I knew him from his audits at Comp Care. I always appreciated his professional manner and his good advice. Your family will be in my prayers during this time.

  • Vickie Adkins Cobb
    Posted at 01:47h, 03 September Reply

    So sorry about the passing of such a gentleman. He was a good friend to my daddy and me. Prayers for his family!

  • Lori Fox
    Posted at 19:30h, 03 September Reply

    We are Covering each of you in our prayers. Charlie was the best of the best. And we are so very lucky to have shared in so many fun, wonderful memories with him and the entire Phillips Family. I can’t remember a time that I was in his presence that I didn’t leave without a smile on my face. It never mattered how much time had passed, it was always like we had just saw him yesterday & that is what the true meaning of friendship is.. Your family is our family. We love you deeply. May God bless each of you and give you the peace on he can give. The Fox & Wyatt Families has sent a donation to The Appalachian Children’s Home in Barbourville KY in Charlie’s name. May he continue to pour his blessings to others.
    All our Love to each of you,
    Marcus, Lori & The Girls
    Michael Paul & Michael Vaughn
    Mike & Sharon Wyatt

  • Lori Layne
    Posted at 00:37h, 08 March Reply

    Dear Charlie,
    I loved babysitting for you, I loved going to the lake with you, and I loved being your neighbor and friend.
    I will always remember you.
    All of my love to you and your family.
    Sincerely,
    Lori Layne

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