J. Clary Phillips

Mr. James “Clary” Phillips, age 88 of Concord, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Transitional Health Services.

A graveside service will be held at Carolina Memorial Park on Friday, January 13 at 2 pm with Rev. Craig Saltzer officiating. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

Mr. Philips was born February 16, 1934 in Cabarrus County, a son of the late Mack Coy Phillips and Irene Burrage Phillips. He was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Larry C. Phillips and Richard Wayne Phillips.

Clary graduated from Concord High School after serving in the military and attended Appalachian University to study Business and Accounting.

Clary proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Gunners Mate. He was a member of The Golden Gloves Boxing Team and was inducted into the Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame. He loved spending time at the beach and the mountains with his family. He sang in the church choir at St. James Lutheran Church and The Piedmont Choral Society. He enjoyed many years of acting for the Old Courthouse Theater and won many awards for his performances.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rebecca Linker Phillips; daughter, Anne Swayney and husband, Steven of Concord; son, J. Michael Phillips; grandchildren, Dylan Rutemiller, Elias Rutemiller and wife, Amanda, Jamie Smyly and husband, Chris, and Samantha Barlow and husband, Tyler; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Suzanne Jones and husband, John of Concord, and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 104 Union Street S., Concord, NC 28025.