Rickie L. Phillips, 60, of rural Bridgeport, Illinois, passed away February 2, 2025 in the comfort of his home following a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Rickie L. Phillips, 60, of rural Bridgeport, Illinois, passed away February 2, 2025 in the comfort of his home following a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Rick was born June 16, 1964 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the son of Ralph L. and Linda Kay (Brian) Phillips, both of whom have preceded him in death. He married Colleen R. Jenner on May 28, 1983, who survives. Along with Colleen, those left to share in Rick’s memories include his children, daughter Lindsey F. Fry and husband Kevin (Robinson, Illinois) and son Lance M. Phillips and wife Kenedee (Bridgeport, Illinois); grandchildren and best buddies, Blake R. Fry (Robinson, Illinois), Ledger L. Phillips (Bridgeport, Illinois), and Riley Kay Fry (Robinson, Illinois). Rick is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews, Ralph Phillips III and his sons Gauge and Tucker, Amy and Brandon Shindler and their daughters Ava and Gemma, and Kevin and Joanne Vought and their children Jack, Luke, and Brooke; his brother Ralph Phillips Jr. (Sumner, Illinois); his mother-in-law Patsy Nettleton (Olney, Illinois); along with many uncles, aunts and cousins who were very dear to him. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents Kenneth and Jeanette Phillips (St. Francisville, Illinois), grandmother Mabel Brian (Sumner, Illinois), and father-in-law Granville Jenner (Olney, Illinois).
Rick’s childhood was spent in St. Francisville, where he gave his mother gray hair and worked alongside his dad and Grandpa Kenny Phillips every chance he got. He enjoyed spending time on his grandpa’s farm, where they raised a variety of critters and crops to feed the animals. He attended Lawrenceville High School, but Rick went to work in the oilfield as soon as he could. Never a stranger to a hard day’s work, he was also a skilled welder, master fabricator, and fixer of all things. He worked for a couple of local oil companies before he found his place with Team Energy in Bridgeport. Alongside his friends and business partners he had many adventures in the patch and made life-long friends everywhere he went. During his time at Team, he had the opportunity to fulfill a dream of his and branched off into a well service company that was named Phillips Oilfield Services. In 2010 Team closed its doors. He then began working as a contractor for his friends, Don Jones and the Jones Family, at Pioneer Oilfield Services overseeing oil and natural gas production.
Rick has always loved his job, but his favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. His wife, Colleen, was his best friend and side kick of almost 42 years. They did everything together. They had many adventures from camping and fishing to riding motorcycles, as well as a few travels. But, perhaps, their greatest adventure was raising their kids, Lindsey and Lance. Rick loved his kids and loved doing anything they wanted to do. He raised them both to be honest and to work hard. Time with them was spent teaching them both the things that he loved to do, like hunting deer and turkeys, fishing, and how to weld and fix things. But really, if we’re being honest, he taught them a whole lot more than that, he taught them how to be good people. He taught them the worth of a dollar and a job well done. He taught them that the truth is always better than a lie. But ultimately, he taught them how to become parents and to raise their kids with those same values.
He earned the title of “Pop” in 2015 when Blake was born, and then again in 2021 when Ledger came along. He loved those boys and all of the things that having ornery little boys around entails. But then, in 2022, Riley Kay arrived to give those boys a run for their money and wrap Pop around another finger. As great of a dad as he was, he was an even better Pop. He was the buyer of 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, all of the trucks and tractors, pipe wrenches, diamond earrings and necklaces. Pop was always up for an adventure, like going to Bass Pro for the day. He loved to tease them and make them laugh. Many times he was declared the instigator of their shenanigans.
Never meeting a stranger, Rick could talk to anyone. Throughout his life, Rick had many experiences and encountered some wonderful people. They all afforded him an endless number of stories to tell…and he loved to tell a story. He was as big hearted as a person can be. How does one set out to sum up the life and legacy of such an amazing person with just a couple of paragraphs? We never could. Rick’s family asks that when you think of him, that you think of your favorite memory or a story he’s told you with a smile.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 08, 2025 at 11:00 AM CST at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois, with Masonic Rites service starting at 11:00 AM CST. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM CST at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Sumner Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be given to the Lawrence County Longbeards, National Wild Turkey Federation for the JAKES Youth Program, in honor of his love for his grandchildren and the outdoors.
