Phillip Lee Damewood

Phillip Lee Damewood
September 6, 1944 – December 28, 2020

Preceded by parents - Orie James Damewood and Opal Lillian (Simms) Damewood,
brother, Paul Robert Damewood and sister, Joyce Virginia Ladd.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marguerite (Ramirez) Damewood and his two sons, Steven Damewood and daughter-in law Celeste Christie, and grandson, Malcolm Christie Damewood of Eugene, OR and Liam Damewood and daughter-in-law Anna Hamilton of Walnut Creek, CA, sisters-in-law Terry Grosvenor, Kathleen Ramirez and Noelle Marler, and brother-in-law, Dorin Ladd.


Phil was born in Palo Alto, CA, and Phil grew up and went to school in San Mateo, CA. After he graduated from Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, he entered the College of San Mateo. He enlisted in the United States Air Force for 4 years. Phil was a Viet Nam veteran.
Making full use of the GI Bill, Phil graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Sociology and an Elementary Teaching Credential. He met Marguerite while they were both taking elementary education classes. They married in 1973.

Phil started work for Pacific Bell in 1976 and went through its many name changes (PacBell, Southwest Bell, Pacific Telesis, AT&T) until he retired in the early 2000s.

Phil was a devoted, supportive and fun-loving father to sons Steven and Liam as well as his grandson Malcolm - a brilliant light in his life.

In the late 1980’s Phil became a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener in Sacramento County where he established the now thriving Fair Oaks Community Garden in the town of Fair Oaks, CA. He worked in establishing and maintaining the fruit tree demonstration garden at the Fair Oaks Horticultural Center.

After moving to Grants Pass, Phil became an OSU Cooperative Extension Josephine County Master Gardener in 2009. He worked on many local projects and events including:
o The Demonstration Garden at the Extension Office,
o He taught classes on blueberries, melons, fruit trees and pruning at the JoCo Master Gardeners’ annual Seeds of Spring Seminars as well as other classes offered through Master Gardeners.
o He helped build and run the school garden at Madrona Elementary

Phil loved to garden and grow food. He specialized in melons, blueberries, fruit trees and vegetables. He was a life-long learner and he enjoyed keeping a garden/life events journal. He and Marguerite traveled to Europe and Mexico as well as in the United States.

Phil was the definition of a people person. He loved keeping up with family and friends. He was a true and caring husband, father and friend in every sense of the word.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Josephine County Food Bank.