Rodney C. Phillips

Rodney "Coach" Phillips was born Aug. 11, 1931, in Arapahoe, Neb., attending school there and graduating in 1949. He went to his "eternal home" on April 15 after a very short illness. He is now with his Lord and his beloved Grace Arlene.
He married his sweetheart, Grace Arlene Moore, in December 1951. To this union one son, Kevin Kurt, was born in 1954.
He is survived by his son, Kevin, daughter-in-law, Laurie and two granddaughters, Kellen and Aidan, all of Alexandria, Va. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Linda Sapp of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother-in-law, Terry of Colorado Springs; brother-in law, Glenn Moore of Cheyenne; sister-in-law, Ruth of Cheyenne; and seven nephews and nieces; 10 grandnephews and grandnieces; and one great-grandniece.
Rod was named Salvation Army's Volunteer of the year on April 9. Donations in Rod's honor can be made to Emergency Disaster Service Cheyenne Corps, Salvation Army or the Cheyenne Animal Shelter.
Rod's celebration of life will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, 108 E. 18th St. A reception will follow at Salvation Army Church, 601 E. 20th St.
The family moved to Cheyenne in the mid-1950s. He earned his master's degree in education from University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. He ended his teaching at Cheyenne's East High in the early '90s.
He was a wonderful spouse, father, teacher, friend, mentor and example for all the youth who attended his classes.