Carol Lynn Phillips, 90, passed away peacefully September 22, 2026, in San Antonio, TX, survived by his wife of 71 years, Norma Roberta Hrdlicka Phillips.

Carol was the youngest of five children born on February 16, 1936, to Nort and Gladys Phillips of the Cainsville area of northern Missouri. Growing up in the small farming community, Carol learned to work hard and acquired a lifelong love of nature. He attended a one-room grade school, which was taught, at times by his older sister, Juanita. He graduated in 1954 with a class of 11 students..

Soon after graduation, he and Norma married and moved to the Kansas City area. Life and adulthood came quickly with the birth of Sheila. Their small trailer quickly became overcrowded following the birth of twins, Mark and Clark. This led to the purchase of their first home in Independence, MO, and the birth of Shawnna. In the early days, Carol supported the family as a milkman, delivering milk to doorsteps.

Summer vacations were spent camping, canoeing and water skiing at Bull Shoals Lake. His pride and joy was his boat dubbed “White Lightning”. Being the lightest of his buddies, he was nominated to ride high above the water in a homemade ski-kite behind the boat. Pitching tents with four young children, float trips and hiking with Boy Scouts, were a few of the “dad jobs” he enjoyed.

Carol’s career began at Bendix Corporation in Kansas City, producing and developing electronics for the United States government. In 1978, his career path led to a move to Maryland Heights, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, where they lived for 17 years. Carol began servicing CAT scan imaging machines for EMI Health and Toshiba. Carol was a master at troubleshooting and finding solutions. Early on, despite having no musical background, Carol taught himself to tune organs as a side business.

Carol enjoyed working with his hands, accomplishing DIY projects of any kind. He would figure it out and tackle the job, big or small. Carol’s skills were both practical, such as home improvements, and creative. His woodworking art included a collection of keys and other small objects enlarged in scale. He had a passion for photographing nature, butterflies and flowers. Carol, a very intelligent man, was always curious about how things worked.

By far, Carol’s biggest challenge came in the form of a stroke at age 56. Forced into early retirement with physical disabilities, his drive would not let him stay down. Rehabilitation, exercise and an inquisitive mind allowed him to adapt. He and Norma loved to travel. So, why not stuff your entire household of keepsakes and furniture into a storage unit and see the world from an RV full time? Carol and Norma traveled coast to coast, exploring our national parks. Hunting down lighthouses along the coasts was a highlight. They also enjoyed many adventures worldwide.

Eventually, they simplified their travels and spent the summer months in Babbitt, Minnesota. The winter months were spent in Alamo, TX. After 20 years on the road, Carol and Norma settled year-round in Alamo, TX, along the Rio Grande Valley. In 2023, wanting to be closer to family, they moved to San Antonio, where they remained until his death.

Carol Lynn Phillips was preceded in death by his parents Nort Phillips and Gladys Stanley Phillips of Cainsville, MO; brother Paul Phillips of Eagle Grove, IA; sister Juanita Gibson of Alamo, TX; brother Marvin Phillips of Cainsville, MO; and son Mark Phillips of Independence, MO. Carol leaves behind his wife, Norma Roberta Hrdlicka Phillips, of San Antonio, TX; brother Carmen Phillips of Bella Vista, AR; sister-in-law Juanita Phillips of Bethany, MO; daughter Sheila Blakemore and husband Chris Blakemore of San Antonio, TX; son Clark Phillips and wife Sandy Phillips of Independence, MO; daughter Shawnna Fleenor and husband Charley Fleenor of Lake Lotawana, MO; grandchildren Traci, Sonja, Cheryl, Scott, Bradley, Jodi, Sarah, Julia and Audrey; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Life gives us no guarantees. We are not promised good health, an easy road, or a certain number of years. We are simply given this life, these circumstances, and this day. Our task is to dig in, do what we can, and make something meaningful of what we’ve been given. Carol did. Go make him proud.

In lieu of a service, condolences can be sent to Norma Phillips.