Ross Phillips MD

Ross Milton Phillips MD

October 11, 1930 –August 23, 2017

Ross Milton Phillips, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on August 23, 2017 at his home in Fruit Heights, Utah. He was born October 11, 1930 to Edward Christensen Phillips and Ida Clawson, in Ucon, Idaho. He was 11 pounds when he was born and continued all his life to have BIG ideas and serious goals. He grew up on the family farm and ranch where he came to believe that there were two kinds of people, those who were successful farmers and ranchers and those who wished they were. This interest continued all his life.  He learned a strong work ethic, the value of a dollar and how to gracefully live through “hard times”. Life was too important to waste on the frivolous. Work was his play. He was a middle child of eleven and there was a lot of love at home and time singing around the family piano and while traveling. He had beautiful tenor voice, enjoyed music and played the piano all his life. He belonged to a quartet that enjoyed singing together for many years and joined the choir in every ward he was in.  We are certain he has joined a heavenly choir.

He graduated from Ucon High School. He served an LDS mission to Australia from 1950-52.  He then attended BYU in a pre-med course and graduated from the University of Utah Medical School in June of 1959. After completing his medical training, he had a general practice at the BYU Health Center, Geneva Steel and a Private Practice in Provo, Utah for three years, averaging 100 night calls a month. He then returned to the U of U to complete a residency in Radiology.  He practiced Radiology at St Benedict’s Hospital in Ogden Utah and was Chief of Radiology at the New Davis Hospital in Layton when it opened.  He also believed there were two kinds of doctors, those who were Radiologists and those who wished they were.  He loved what he did and did it well, never missing a day’s work in 45 years.  He pursued learning in numerous areas throughout his life with a special interest in politics and events of the world.  He was a staunch conservative in belief and action. He served on the Fruit Heights City Council.

He saw a “willowy blonde in a red coat”, JoAnn Francis, walking down a street while at BYU and she became the love of his life.  He won her heart by singing love songs to her while taking the long way to and from his family home in Idaho.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 7, 1957.  They are the parents of eight children, twenty-five grandchildren and fourteen great-grand children. The family enjoyed the family ranch and cabin at the “Crater” in Idaho where they spent most of their summer vacations (in other words, fixing fence etc.) It became “The Best Place on Earth” to them and their children.

When he retired from medicine, he bought a ranch in Montana with the river running through it, a lifelong dream.  In retirement, he enjoyed music, gardening, building furniture, reading and studying.

His lifelong service in the LDS Church included many callings. His favorite was teaching the Gospel Doctrine class for 8 years. He served a medical mission to the Philippines with his wife, JoAnn from 2004-2006 where they made many wonderful friendships that they cherish.

He is survived by JoAnn, his loving companion of 60 years; children Ross Edward Phillips (Suzanne), Midway, Utah, Laura Talbot (Brent), Colorado Springs, Colorado, James Francis Phillips, Fruit Heights, Utah, Joseph Howard Phillips, Terreton, Idaho, Susie Phillips, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ann Marie Oldham (JD), Fruit Heights, Utah, Sharon Phillips, Ennis, Montana, and Marilee Austin (Aaron), Kaysville, Utah, 26 grandchildren and fourteen great-grand children.  He is also survived by three sisters, Norma Barlow (Glen), Marie Whitworth (JT) and Adele Barber (Robert). He is preceded in death by a grand-son, Matthew Talbot, five brothers, Joseph, George, Wayne, David, Victor and Lester and one sister, Gwen Carroll.

Thank you Dad, for your example of hard work, your wit and wisdom, an honored and honorable name and sacrificing so many things for us, sharing and living your testimony, and the lessons of life. Your unconditional love and your example of a Christ-like life are important to us. We will try to honor that legacy.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fruit Heights South Mountain Road Chapel, 901 South Mountain Road. Friends may visit with family Friday evening at the Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah from 6 to 8 p.m. and also at the Church on Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m.