Obituary of John David Phillips

PHILLIPS, John David, Jr. "Jay" passed away at Yokota AFB near Tokyo, Japan June 26, 2016. He was born February 23, 1975 in Columbus, OH, graduated in 1993 from Granville HS in Granville, OH and attended Clemson University and The Ohio State University before entering the US Air Force following 9/11. After being stationed one year in North Carolina and four years at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK, he served in the 355th Maintenance Squadron at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. He was stationed the last four years at Yokota AFB, rising to MSgt and Flight Chief in the 374th Maintenance Squadron. Tours of duty included Guam, Djibouti and Korea. His military service was exemplary, earning him Squadron Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year in 2013 and Group Senior NCO of the Year in 2016. His accomplishments included winning the Pacific Airforce award for running the best motorcycle safety program in the Pacific Rim. He enjoyed playing guitar and writing music, spending time with friends and family, and was recently training for a half marathon. Jay was a generous man who was always willing to help others. His greatest joys in life were singing and dancing with his young daughters and spending bro'-time with his son. Jay was predeceased by his father, John D. Phillips, maternal grandmother, Ruth Hayes and paternal grandfather, William Phillips. He was beloved by many and is survived by his wife, Tana Encinias Phillips, his children, Jude, Evan, Kira, Aden and Lila, his mother, Kathy Phillips Bayer (John Bayer), sisters, Andrea Phillips (Matt Besecker) and Lauren Phillips (Andrew Seita), maternal grandfather, Homer Hayes (Shirley) and paternal grandmother, Matilda Phillips, along with countless aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2016 East Lawn Cemetery Chapel, 5801 E. Grant Rd., with military services and burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a fund set up for the surviving family at www.youcaring.com. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.