Obituary of Roger McLain Phillips

Loving husband, devoted father and God loving man, Roger McLain Phillips went to be with our Lord on July 3, 2023. 

Born, June 3, 1939, to Agnes and Frank Phillips, Dayton, Ohio.  Roger attended Stivers High School where he lettered in 8 events, including golf, which became his lifetime passion.  He went on to attend Wilmington College, University of Dayton and graduated from Automation Institute of Technology with a degree in Computer Science in 1961.  He served in the Ohio Air National Guard for 6 years, earning the rank of 2^nd Lt. during the Berlin Crisis Call up in 1961. 

Roger moved to Florida in 1965, working as IT director at IMC Phosphate Mining Co. in Bartow, FL.  In 1977, he went into sales and founded his own company, Phillips Business Forms, Inc. where he remained active until his passing.  He was a class 5A official in basketball and football for 12 years and a Junior College basketball official for 4 years.  He coached Little League football, basketball, baseball, and girls’ softball.  His girls’ softball team won the State Championship twice in the mid-seventies. 

Roger was very involved with his church and shared his love for the Lord with whoever was blessed by crossing his path.  He truly loved his church family.  He was an avid golfer, playing an average of three times a week with his most treasured friends.  His favorite memories playing golf included playing with Bobby Bowden several times and playing at the Walt Disney World Pro-Am tournament where he met and played with some of his favorites.  He was an active member of the Winter Haven Central Church of Christ, Seminole Boosters, Country Club of Winter Haven, DPMA, Sertoma, Cypress Gardens Rotary and Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce.  He was a founding member and Board Director for Commerce Bank of Central Florida. 

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ron Phillips, sister Carol Campbell and brother Tim Phillips. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Rela.  Daughter Julie (Angie) Phillips, daughter Jill (Deron) Stults, son Tim (Lisa) Phillips, daughter Condra (Bret) Brewer and daughter Tamara (Jerry) Rudesill.  Grandchildren, Blake Phillips, Alex Branstrator, Natalie Branstrator, Logan Phillips, McCree (Tessa) Stults, Luke Stults, Candace (Brian) Burkeen, Landon (Leah) Brewer, Jarrod (Whitney) Rudesill, Jordon (Lauren) Rudesill and Blair (Kip) Mathis.  Great Grandchildren, London, Ryan, Lovett, Audrey, Emree, Cohen, Rosalind, Landry, Ila and Rhett. 

Family was everything to Roger.  He and Rela loved getting together with family for any occasion!  His devotion to the Lord, unconditional love, innate wisdom, ongoing encouragement, eternal support and immeasurable generosity provided a footprint never to be forgotten. 

Services will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at Winter Haven Central Church of Christ, 142 Ave. C. SW Winter Haven, FL.  Reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winter Haven Central Church of Christ Scholarship Fund – P.O. Box 2004 Winter Haven, FL 33882 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital – www.stjude.org.