Rodney Neil ‘Pap’ Phillips of Paducah passed peacefully Friday, September 30, 2016, at his home with his beloved wife of 63 years, Velda, by his side.

He was born on September 29, 1933, to the late Roger and Jewell Daily Phillips of Hampton, Ky.

Known as 'Tudler' growing up on Dooley Bluff in Livingston County, he was known to travel the roads by tractor or horse at a young age, often offering help to nearby farmers. He was proud of his farming heritage, and spent all his spare time at the Dooley Bluff and Hampton farms.

After a short stint at MSU, he joined the U.S. Army, in hopes of traveling abroad to serve his country. The day before he was to be shipped out, his first child was born, and he decided it best he stay stateside to care for his family.

In 1957 he went to Calvert City, Ky., to apply at one of the plants. He interviewed that day at GAF, Inc. They asked when he could start, and he replied, “I brought my lunch.” They told him to get his physical. He started that day as an operator in the Continuous Area, at $1.88 an hour, and after numerous advancements throughout the company, ended his career as General Foreman-Acetelyne. During his time at Calvert City, he assisted many new incoming engineers in utilizing ways to combine old and new technologies to save the company money. He was asked to serve on teams investigating industrial accidents in throughout the United States.

Fifty-three years later, he was honored at the plant’s celebration of its 50th anniversary by corporate executives as “a person who exemplifies the working man of the Calvert City Industrial Complex.” After his retirement, he traveled to China to assist as an instructor on the use of equipment purchased from ISP.

His leadership skills emerged early when he acted as leader for his MYF group at Hampton United Methodist as a teen. He served as Band Booster president during his children’s and grandchildren’s participation in music programs.

Rodney was a lay speaker for many years for the United Methodist Church, and a member of the Gideon Society. He served as president of Camp Hurricane Camp Meeting at Tulu, Ky., for 10 years. He was a longtime supporter of Global Harvesters International and missionaries to Guatemala, Don and Chiqui Donaldson and Steve English.

His passion was for his family and grandchildren to have a strong foundation of faith, built on the principles of Christ. He not only taught those values as a Sunday school teacher at Hampton, Ledbetter, and Trinity UMC churches, he lived those values every day. One of the most memorable events of his life was reliving his baptism in the Jordan River. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Velda, daughters, Rhonda Ash (Chris), Valerie Phillips of Paducah, Lori Watson and special friend, Steve Word, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and son Todd Daily Phillips of South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Jessica Phillips of Memphis, Wesley Augustino, Paducah, Lindsay Augustino (Kevin Karin) of Nashville, Whitney LeBlanc (Sam) of New Orleans, Amber Carmack (Brian) of Draffenville, Ky., Meagan Guyette (Jim) of Paducah, Nicholas Augustino of Hopkinsville, Ky., and Alexis “B” Ash of Murray, Ky; nine great-grandchildren, Liberty Guyette, Emma Karin, Parker Benningfield, James Guyette, Gabriel Augustino, Scout Karin, Grayson Augustino, Jase Carmack and Greer Augustino; one sister, Carolyn Brasher, Paducah; nieces Kendra Phillips, Ledbetter, and DeeDee Edmonds, Winter Haven, Fla.; nephew Paul Brasher, Paducah, and special friend Bud Roberts of Evansville, Ind.

The family appreciates the love and attention of Pap’s caregivers at Morningside Memory Care Unit, who for the last year and nine months have become family. Also, for the teams on the fifth floor of Lourdes Hospital who treated him like he was ‘their ‘pap,’ and in a most professional and loving way, assisted in all areas of transition to ensure needs were meet, not only for Pap, but for the family.

Rodney’s graduation celebration will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at Trinity United Methodist Church at 6125 Blandville Road. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., with celebration of life at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Ben Boone. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery in Livingston County. An invitation extends to all family and friends of Rod who would like to express words of affirmation or share life experiences.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 6125 Blandville Road, Paducah, KY 42001.

Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com

Lindsey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.