Kendell Wayne Phillips

Kendell Wayne Phillips, age 57, of Cave Junction, died Friday, July 26, 2013 at his home.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at Bridgeview Community Church in Cave Junctionwith a potluck following. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be made to any Washington Federal Bank or Evergreen Federal Bank in memory of Kendell Phillips

Kendell was born February 1, 1956 in Crescent City, California to Thomas Alvin Phillips and his war bride, Audrey Maureen Parker Phillips. He grew up in Crescent City until his mother’s and sister’s deaths. At that time, he traveled with his father to Mexico, England, and Ireland and in 1963 returned with his father to Crescent City. Kendell was raised by his grandparents after his father and uncle were lost at sea while attempting to deliver a boat to Costa Rica.

He was involved in FFA; worked on his grandfather’s ranch in the Holland Loop area; worked his own cattle; and worked for Sleepy Hollow Dairy. On August 9, 1978 in Reno, Nevada he married Tammie Ann Van Natta. He then worked at both Palmer Dairy and Illivale Dairy. After an injury at the dairy, he and Tammie began crafting and attending craft fairs. He also attended Rogue Community College where he earned business and accounting degrees with honors. He worked for the Grants Pass College of Beauty as an accountant and also started the Illinois Valley Craft Guild. From 1995 to 1998 he was director of the Kerbyville Museum.

Kendell was extremely active in his community. His memberships included Illinois Valley Grange for 27 years where he currently served as secretary and was past master; Fruitdale Grange; Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce; Oregon Commission of Historic Cemeteries; Illinois Valley Historical Society and was a board member; Josephine County Historical Society; Sons of American Revolution; and Society of Mayflower Descendants. Kendell was proud of his Native American heritage.

He volunteered with the Safe House Alliance in Cave Junction; Vista Coordinator for Josephine County Food Bank; Illinois Valley Chapel; and as a grange and agricultural superintendent at the Josephine County Fair. He was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award for Oregon state granges and was also an Oregon state grange lecturer which is the 3rd ranking officer. He was a National Grange member as well.

Kendell enjoyed history, genealogy, playing pinochle, camping, gardening and his cats.

Kendell is survived by his wife, Tammie Ann Phillips of Cave Junction, Oregon; a brother, Kerby Craig Phillips of Medford, Oregon; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Kerrie Phillips; and his grandparents, Alvin & Edith Phillips.