Jim Phillips
courtesy photo
Jim Phillips
HELENA — Jim Phillips was born at the Mission Hospital in St. Ignatius, Montana on June 8, 1943, and died at age 73 in his home in Helena, Montana on July 17, 2016.
His parents, W. A. (Bill) Phillips and Gladys Eleonora Shennum Phillips and sister Judy Rae Phillips have preceded him in death. His wife of 48 years, Illa Ann Thomas Phillips; and two children: son, William A. Phillips, and his wife Brenda and three granddaughters Ashlyn, Ameya, and Aubrey of Missoula, Montana; and daughter, Jennifer Johanna Andersen and her husband Jon of Helena, Montana, also survive him.
Jim graduated from Ronan High School in 1961 and enlisted in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the 4th Marines at Kenohe Bay, Hawaii, in the Fleet Marine Force. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim enrolled at the University of Montana and worked summers for the US Forest Service and during school months with a bus line to, in part, pay for his education. Jim’s summers with the Forest Service brought him to the Missoula and Grangeville Smokejumpers for four seasons and to a lifelong association with the National Smokejumper Association where he served as safety officer, operations officer, reunion chairman, and Trail Program squad leader. Jim also acted as the lead liaison between the USFS and the NSA in the facilitation of a completed Man Gulch Preservation Plan and trail system.
Jim’s professional career included 25 years as a school counselor, 10 years as a civil rights contract compliance officer for the Montana Department of Transportation and five years in private sector management. Jim’s avocation interests included the Masonic Lodge, National Education Association, Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, and the Congressional and Methodist churches.
Besides spending time with his family, one of Jim’s greatest joys in life was spending time in the wilderness and enjoying hiking in all public lands afforded to the citizens of the United States. He was a historian and preservationist in the lore of Smokejumping and enjoyed sitting around a campfire with his NSA brothers and sisters with a bottle of Famous Grouse and engaging in some good old hyperbole. He always had a smile on his face and a laugh in his throat and he will be missed greatly.
To honor Jim’s wishes, no services will be held. Memorial contributions may be sent to the National Smokejumpers Association by visiting www. smokejumpers.com or the Masonic Lodge Fraternal Organization, 1102 Fourth Ave. E, Polson, MT 59860. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share memories of Jim.
