Dennis Jackson Phillips

Dennis Jackson Phillips passed into the loving arms of his heavenly family in the early morning of March 12, 2026, with his daughters by his side. Though the suddenness of his passing brought deep grief to his children, they found comfort in celebrating a long life devoted to family.

Born November 4, 1927, in Isonville, Kentucky, Dennis was the second child and first son of Eliza Hester (Mason) and James Albert Phillips. His childhood reflected the hard work and quiet love of that time and place. He labored alongside his parents, sometimes missing school, and once even tried to climb out a hospital window to return home during a bout with measles. These early years shaped his lifelong focus on family, honest labor, and a good-humored, positive outlook.

Dennis served in the U.S. Army, inducted on April 12, 1946, and spent most of his time in the post-war cleanup in Japan. He wrote letters and sent gifts home to his parents and siblings, and upon his honorable discharge, he went straight from the bus to his father’s side at the sawmill. In 1949, he married Mary Lou Mason and built a life with her first in Blaine, Kentucky, then in Ohio. In 1963, he purchased a small farm outside Plain City that became the beloved homeplace for his growing family. A master sheet metal mechanic at Wasserstrom for 38 years, Dennis took pride in his skilled hands and sharp mind for numbers and angles. He created custom stainless steel frames and cabinets for his home and loved tending his garden, raising crops, and planting trees that connected him to his Kentucky roots and his children’s homes.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, his cherished wife Mary Lou, who passed on January 9, 2011, all of his siblings, and his stillborn great-grandson Mason Converse. He is survived by his five children—Dretha Phillips, Jim Phillips (Sherry), Mark Phillips (Julie), Jack Phillips (Annette), and Dennise Francis (Scott)—his 11 grandchildren, his 30 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and their families who knew how deeply they were adored by their Uncle Dennis.