Obituary of Harvey John Phillips Jr

Harvey John “Jack” Phillips Jr died on December 15^th, 2023. He was born in Rensselaer, Indiana on November 9^th, 1930. He was proceeded in death also by brother Knight A. Phillips of Rensselaer and former wife Nancy Roberts Chamberlin. Jack graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1948. He attended Butler University and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He enlisted in the US Army early in 1951 and served in combat in Korea as a paratrooper with the 187^th Airborne RCT. He returned to Butler in 1954.

He married Nancy B Roberts in April 1955, and they had 3 children. They divorced in 1993. Jack managed a Hotel in Saginaw, MI, and was Director of Census in that Congressional District in 1960.

He became a manufacturer’s representative until moving to Waukegan, IL in 1964 to work for Luxor Corp as Sales Manager and later VP of Marketing and Sales. In 1976 he moved to Greeley, CO and bought Brown Bookbinding Co, renamed it Mt Plains Bookbinding, serving a 5-state area. After selling the company in 1989, he became an independent broker of life and health insurance, with many clients in northern Colorado and Eagle, Summit Counties.  He was actively involved until shortly before his death. He was known for the personal attention he devoted to his clients. His son, John Phillips, will continue to serve those clients.  Jack traveled in every state in the US, and world-wide, usually with his best friend and companion Allison Wright of Vail, CO. He was a fly-fishing enthusiast and until injuring his back, a skier and tennis player.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela A. Ash of Onalaska, TX, son John D. Phillips of Littleton, daughter Patricia R. Standley and husband Mike of Beaumont, TX, grandson Richard S. Karr, US Navy, San Diego. His sister-in-law, Nancy K. Phillips, lives in Rensselaer, IN, as well as nephews, Bob, Jeff, Jim, and Steve and their families, and niece Linda Hall of Remington, IN.

Jack loved his country passionately and was active in Veteran’s organizations; a life member of the 82^nd Airborne Association, 187^th ABN RCT, and the VFW of Minturn and Northern Colorado. He supported many outdoor groups and was a member of Trout Unlimited since 1959. He particularly loved Yellowstone National Park and visited nearly every year. He was a member St Mary’s Church and was an usher for 25 years. He also attended St Patrick’s in Minturn. He was a proud, long-time member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was cremated with a part of his remains scattered in his favorite fishing streams and the remainder rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO.

A Life Celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47^th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made Honor Flight of Northern Colorado.