Gary Thomas Phillips

Mr. Gary Thomas Phillips, 80, of Commerce, husband of 39 years to Vivian ‘Gail’ Lunceford Phillips, passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens following a battle with COVID.

Mr. Phillips was born in Champaign, Illinois on February 4, 1941, son of the late Sterling Thomas Phillips and Muriel Kohler Phillips. He served his country faithfully in the U.S. Air Force and was a retired pilot from the Georgia Department of Air Transportation. Gary was a member of Elberton Christian Church and the Elberton Elks Lodge. In his free time, when not with his family, Gary enjoyed teaching flight instruction classes and working with drones.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Gail, he is survived by his children: Lisa Phillips, Lindsay Frangie and her husband Ramses, and Ashley Vincent Sean Ward and his wife Kaylea; grandchildren: Grady, Parker, and Ashlee; brother, Kyle Phillips; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty Jo and Jim Boyd; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Jan Phillips; and parents-in-law, Henry and Vivian Smith Lunceford.

Gary requested no formal service and will be laid to rest during a private ceremony at Forest Hills Memorial Park, during which time military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force.

Contributions be made in his memory to Elbert County Humane Society, PO Box 267, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Gary Thomas Phillips.