Richard Carroll Phillips was born in Freeburn, Kentucky, (Pike County) on April 26, 1946. He was one of 8siblings born to Father Cecil Loren Phillips and Mother Mella Justice.He graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria, Virginia and went on to obtain an AAdegree from Florida Jr. College at Jacksonville, Fl. Richard loved and respected his country and servedhonorably in the US Air Force. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany 1965-1971 during the VietnamWar. After being honorably discharged, he went to work at Duval Medical Center before going on towork for the US Postal Service. He retired as a Postmaster after 35 years of employment and his lastpost was at Lake Butler Florida Post Office. Richard was an active member of Queen of Peace CatholicChurch in Gainesville, Fl. He served there as a Eucharistic Minister and also assisted in the Alphaministry, the yearly Christmas decorations for the local Ronald McDonalds house and church, andenjoyed work in the St Anthony Gift Shop for several years. He enjoyed being a Member of the Knightsof Columbus, local Elks Lodge 990, a lifetime member of the UF Alumni Association, and a member ofthe United Postmasters and Managers of America.Richard was predeceased by siblings James E. Phillips, Gloria J. Donald, Ronald D Phillips, Glenna JPhillips, Roger E. Phillips, and Sondra K Poole. He is survived by Maggie (spouse of 51 years) and SeanA. Phillips, M.D (son) and Ryan A. Grunsten (daughter-in-law), his brother Robert D Phillips, and hismany nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.Richard loved God above all and was an extremely hard worker. He was a man of integrity who enjoyedlife and was always willing to lend a hand, laugh at a joke, and give a warm hug. He loved traveling withbest friends, reading, and watching and attending sporting events as a diehard UF Gator. He metMaggie while working at Duval Medical Hospital in Jacksonville, Fl and they were happily married forover 51 years. Richard was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle who loved holdinghands with Maggie and watching the Gators play with Sean. He was known for his engaging personalityand never met a stranger as he would go out of his way to strike up a conversation everywhere he went.He dearly loved his family and friends and genuinely thought the best of anyone he met. He lovedsitting on his front porch and enjoying the Smokey Mountains, having a Jack and Coke with friends at UFgames, spending time outdoors, eating popcorn, listening to bluegrass/gospel, and wearing funny socks.He will have a visitation.His funeral service will be held at Queen Of Peace Catholic ChurchWith his committal at forest meadows cemetery central atIn lieu of flowers donations could be made to the Wounded Warrior Project Cemetery Forest Meadows Cemetery (Central) 4100 NW 39th Avenue Gainsville FL 32606 US 352-376-9552 Visitation Thursday, December 7, 2023 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL 32609 US 352-378-2528 Funeral Mass Friday, December 8, 2023 11:00 AM - Queen of Peace Catholic Church 10900 S.W. 24th Aveue Gainesville FL 32607 US Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528