Keith Earl Phillips

A man with a beautiful spirit and a roaring laugh, Keith Earl Phillips accepted Christ at an early age and lived a life rich in family and friends. Keith was a tender-hearted teddy bear who went out of his way to make sure people felt comfortable and loved to make people laugh. A man who lived his faith, Keith trusted the Lord in all things and fully embraced every moment he was given as a gift to be treasured. A devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend, Keith’s legacy of love and kindness, particularly his deep affection for his family, will long live in the hearts of those he so dearly loved.

With the Great Depression and WWII firmly in the past, 1960 centered around family and welcoming more Baby Boomers. Jobs were abundant, and simple things like buying a home and raising children became the focus for most. Whether catching a ball game or watching T.V., family time was the goal, and hope for the future was the norm. It was with this sense of hope that John Henry Phillips Sr. and Ethel (Amos) welcomed their son Keith to their family on February 27 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The sixth of seven children, Keith grew up in the good company of his siblings, John Jr, Shirley, Edward, Canarian, Joycelyn, and Tim. While Ethel worked at Bronson Hospital, John Sr. worked at U.S. Plywood. Their home on Park Street, on the city's north side, was filled with activity. Interesting and fun, the kids played a lot of games, such as basketball and scatterball and in the winter they even built an igloo in the yard. The Phillips’ yard saw much activity, except on the days when Ethel hung out the clothes to dry. John Sr. enjoyed barbequing in the backyard during the warm weather which brought many memorable family memories.

The neighborhood was filled with children and parents who looked after everyone’s kids. It was a tight-knit community that included relatives just around the corner. These strong connections were strengthened by the firm foundation of faith Keith’s mother built as one of the founding members of Bible Baptist and a person who embodied the principles of her faith.

Keith enjoyed an active school life and was a proud graduate of the Loy Norrix High School class of 1980. Upon graduation, Keith entered the workforce. A hard and dependable worker, over the years, Keith worked for various companies, including Upjohn Nursing Home, General Motors, and Walgreens. His favorite job was working for the nursing home; he liked the people and lending his skills to ensure their good care. Regardless of where he worked,

Keith was always ready to lift up his sleeves and do his part and enjoyed himself along the way. Outside of work, Keith enjoyed staying active, music, reading, movies, sports, and traveling. He liked to lift weights and listen to his favorite tunes. He liked a wide array of music, but Stevie Wonder was his favorite artist. Keith loved to read and was a major history buff. His TV watching mostly focused on documentaries and old classics like Barretta and Andy Griffith. He’d watch just about any movie, but his favorite was The Wizard of Oz. A big Star Trek fan, he even made a paper mache Starship Enterprise. Keith was a devoted Chicago Bulls fan who passionately defended his team. He even poured soda on a nephew who was bad-mouthing the Bulls once.

Keith traveled as much as he could. He and his cousin Greg enjoyed a great trip to New York City. Travels to Miami and Los Angeles were favorites, as was seeing the house where the T.V. series Dallas’ J.R. Ewing was shot. A man who always led with his heart, Keith never hesitated to lend a hand where it was needed. His family was most important to him.

He willingly cared for his aging parents when they needed additional help, and he relished spoiling his nieces and nephews. A faithful member of Bible Baptist, Keith loved the church, hearing and teaching the word. His favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 3: 5-6, and Christmas was his favorite holiday. Keith made a tradition of watching It’s a Wonderful Life and enjoyed wrapping presents.

Though our days with Keith were far too few, every moment we shared with him is a gift we will long treasure. As we celebrate his life, may we find much comfort in our many wonderful memories and in the honor of carrying Keith’s legacy forward. In each moment we laugh wholeheartedly, confidently meet life’s challenges, choose faith over fear, lead with our hearts, and generously give of our time and talents, we keep Keith’s memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Keith Earl Phillips died on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he was waiting for a heart and kidney transplant. Members of his family include his brothers and sisters: John (Barbara) Phillips, Shirley Phillips, Edward (Fillest) Phillips, Canarian Rojas, Joyce Lynn Phillips, Tim Phillips, and Terrie Grant; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Roberto Rojas, and a nephew, Tony Phillips-Cobbs.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the Bible Baptist Church, 1700 North Drake Rd. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Mt. Ever-Rest North Memorial Gardens. Celebrate Keith’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.