David Robert Phillips

Mr. David Robert Phillips was born November 21, 1928, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Charles E. Phillips, Sr., and Juanita Goodlow-Overton.

Mr. David attended school in Springfield, Illinois, until eleven. He moved to Champaign, Illinois, in 1939 and graduated from Edison High School in 1946, now Edison Middle School. He attended the University of Illinois (U of I) from 1947-48 in the College of Engineering. He later decided to continue his studies at Central State College in Wilberforce, OH, where his dear friend Mr. Bobbie Williamson attended.

Up until the 4th stroke, which took Mr. David's speech and mobility, Mr. Williamson called him faithfully once a week. True friendship was seen in action. Mr. Williamson was Mr. David's best man. True friendship is a blessing!

Mr. David returned to Champaign after being laid off from the Frigidaire Plant Division of GMC and began his employment with the University of Illinois in 1957 in the Agronomy Department. While working, he continued schooling and graduated from the U of I in 1972, the same year his daughter graduated from Champaign Central High School. He did his student teaching right across from his daughter, Debrae's Business class. After 30 years as a Cartographer (he designed and drew maps), he retired in 1987. Debrae remembers going to Dad's job and sitting beside him while drafting. Perhaps Mr. David was the first African American Cartographer at the University of Illinois.

Mr. David peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 96 years old, with his daughter beside him. Jacqueline (Jackie) V. Prentice, Virginia Banks, and Mattie E. Bishop were his previous wives. His parents were Charles E. Phillips, Sr., and Juanita Goodlow-Overton. His brothers were Charles E. Phillips, Jr., known as Chuck (deceased), and Richard Phillips (who died at birth). His sisters, Esther Phillips-Kemp and Alma Phillips-Jackson preceded him in death.

In the Martin Luther King subdivision off Fourth Street in Champaign is the street named for Mr. David's father, Phillips Drive. And you know what? The street intersects with Debrae's husband's grandfather, Nelson Court, named after Cecil D. Nelson. That is not a coincidence.

His daughter, Debrae A. Lomax, will forever remember his life and legacy (Leon). Mr. David learned how to braid Debrae's hair from a baby doll, after the death of her mother Jackie; adopted daughter, Melva Jean Phillips and children, Courtney and Corey; daughter through marriage, Marie Hunt (Thomas (Tommy) who says to this day, Dave is the only Father I know and he treated mama so well, and children, Scott, Brent, Craig (deceased); Grandchildren, Jacqueline Y. Brown, Anita J. Lomax (Curtis), Kimberly Lomax Cobb (Turance); Great Grandchildren, Trinity Holloway (Paryon), Astriana Steele, (Paris Chevelle) David Wilson, Leon C. Lomax, Simone G. Lomax; Great, Great Grandchildren, Naiomi, Milani, Isaiah (deceased), Zurie, Mila, Myka. The grand pets, Mona Renee, and Miss Dom Monroe (the dogs), Louis the cat, Coco the dog, Kiki and Jr the dogs (deceased) and a host of other family members and friends.

Mr. David was a longtime member of the AME church, serving and worshipping at Bethel AME, Champaign, and Coppin AME Church, Indianapolis, Indiana; his current membership is with Bethel, where he joined in 1957. During his many years at Bethel, he served as a Steward Board member, President of the local Lay Organization, member of the Men's Fellowship, and church custodian. Mr. David was also the church Treasurer for 15 years, serving under Rev H. H. Walker, and others. Mr. David shares that when his dormitory burned to the ground in Ohio, Bethel Church sent some help during that time of emergency, something he will never forget. At Coppin, he served as the Sons of Allen Inspirational Leader. Mr. David would meet with the men every Saturday morning. He has always served in the church in one capacity or another; however, in the last eleven years, he's been unable to serve because of debilitating and extended illness.

Mr. David has always been a lover of aeronautics. He and his great friend, Mr. Speedie McDowell, also a member of Bethel, Champaign, built and flew model airplanes for a hobby. While in Indianapolis, Mr. David enjoyed sharing experiences with youth and seniors about flying. He would often visit churches, schools, and youth groups, especially during Black History Month, tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, and display the model plane he built, the Red Tails. The late Brigadier General Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman, visited Mr. David and wrote a note thanking him for sharing the Tuskegee Airman story with many. Charles Edward McGee was Debrae's husband's uncle, he died January 16, 2022, at the age of 102.

Mr. David enjoyed sharing with the youth about model airplanes and showing them how to build them. He worked with a group of youth at Coppin AME called the Coppin AME cadets. Debrae wasn't too interested in model airplanes. The cadets were the boys Mr. David never had. However, there was one young man he grew very close to, Thomas Darnell Ingram, the nephew of Virginia Banks.

Mr. David enjoyed golfing, and was a longtime member of the DUC Hookers, a group of black golfers from Danville, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. He was known as the more seasoned Tiger Woods because he studied the game, was competitive, and played well. Debrae thinks he was a little disappointed that she and her husband Leon didn't take an interest in golfing; however, Marie's husband, Tommy, would go out with Mattie and Mr. David.

Mr. David's other interests included the Boy Scouts, Arrowhead Council, and Troop 11, which his dad and others, such as Otis Scott, William Renfro, Jr., and Fred Merrifield, enjoyed in their childhood. He was a member of the Kavilier's club and designed the club's signage, and he was an avid bowler.

A celebration of life will commence at 12:00 Noon April 19, 2025 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 1215 W. Bradley Ave., Urbana. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Monday April 21, 2025 at West Ridge Park Cemetery in Indianapolis Indiana

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