Grandpa John

My Grandpa John (my mom's dad) passed away this week. Although we would have preferred it under different circumstances, it was nice to see family who we don't get to see often enough, some of whom had never met Levi. My brother and his girlfriend Shannon came back from California, too.

My Aunt Mary Anne and Aunt Angie both spoke at the funeral and did a great job reminding us of stories and Grandpa John's character. Mary Anne said that she knew he loved his kids, but his grandchildren, and great-grandson meant the world to him. We could feel that love and will never forget it. Multiple people told me how proud he was to be a great grandfather. (Although he had a hard time reconciling the fact that his daughter was a grandma!) If people would come over to visit Grandpa John would show them the blog :)

We will miss him greatly, but he passed along a lot to my mother - including but not limited to her love of her family and unwavering support. Oh yeah, and also her craftiness and ability to use power tools :) I hope that I can pass the same values (and skills!) down to Levi.

From the Kansas City Star:

John Edward Phillips
John Edward Phillips, 83, Raytown, Mo., passed away Sunday, February 15, 2009, at home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the McGilley and Sheil Funeral Home, 11924 E. 47th St. Entombment at Mt. Olivet Mausoleum. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the chapel. John was born Jan. 11, 1926, in Kansas City, Mo. John was a graduate of Bishop Hogan High School in 1944. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theater of Operations. He later attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1950. John was employed at Western Electric in Lee's Summit, Mo., and retired from Libby Welding. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and also volunteered at Park Lane Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Patsy Phillips; and one brother, Raymond F. Phillips. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lorraine of the home; one son, John E. Phillips Jr. of Raytown; three daughters, Mary Anne Phillips (James Scott) of Joplin, Mo., Cece Hopper (Mike) of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Angie Phillips (Tim Goodspeed) of Portland Ore.; four grandchildren, Tiffany Vokt of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Ryan Hopper of Eureka, Calif., Simone Scott of Joplin, and Timothy Phillips of Raytown; and one great- grandchild, Levi Vokt of Council Bluffs.