Arthur Albert Phillips

Art was born in the back seat of the car on the way to the hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota to Parents: Jesse Theodore & Irene Marie Phillips.  He was stepson to Louella Phillips, Maxine Phillips and Bud Eckstrom. Brother to: Jean, Sue, Tom (Dori), Hazel (Larry), Raymond, Sheila, Alvin, Robert, Dawn (Buck), Joey, Bill (Charlene) and Susie (Frank).  Husband to: Cleta Fay.
Father to: James, Serena (Mike), Kim and Debbie (Steve).  Grandfather to: Megan, Zachary and Jacob, as well as 8 others wishing to be unnamed.  Great Grandfather to: Alexis and Breanna.  

Art has worn many hats in his life, but physically it was always a cowboy hat.  His love for horses and ranches started early.  He worked as a ranch hand in his early to mid-teens before joining the United States Navy at 17 years old.  He served aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, a Yorktown aircraft carrier, in the Phillipines and the Pacific. After his service, he went on to ride bucking broncs and train race horses.  He then became a truck driver and eventually owned his own trucking company.  After leaving the trucking business he became the General Manager of Stomper Hats and Capitol Cookery.  In his later years, he created many objects from old horse shoes to sell.  He could make anything, from a small picture frame, to a giant driveway gate.  He also made beautiful cutting boards, using multiple different types of wood to not only make them functional, but a work of art.

Art has had a love of dancing most of his life.  It was a beautiful thing to watch him and the love of his life, Fay, on the dance floor together.  He was a great dancer and would spend hours dancing the night away.  He didnt care if his partner knew how to dance or not, he would pull them to the floor saying "It's ok, I'll teach you. Just follow my lead."  And lead he did. 

A small private graveside ceremony will be held.  The family invites all family and friends to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Farm Bureau Hall, 3333 Mount Pleasant Road, Lincoln, CA 95648.  The immense showing of love & support during this difficult time is a testament to the kind of man Art was and the impact he had in our family, on his friends and on the community. He will be greatly missed.