Jon Phillips

Jon Reed Phillips, or fondly known to many as "Big Jon", passed away Monday, February 27, 2012 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Graveside services will be 2PM, Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Mexia Cemetery with Bro. Joe Hancock officiating. Visitation with the family will be 6-8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Jon was born February 20, 1953 in Mexia to Howard and Willie Mae Harris Phillips. Jon had a passion for music that started in high school where he played the base horn in the Mexia school band. He started playing the drums because his big brother, Jimmy, needed a drummer for his band, The Country Express. It's said that he didn't have any formal training; he just picked up a pair of drum sticks and started playing like he'd been playing them all his life. He passed the sticks and his love for music on to his two oldest grandsons, Jerrod and Sean Ehren. Jon was a big sports fan. He loved the Cowboys and shared a love of baseball with his grandson, Tristan, "Go Rangers". He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his entire family. He was a loving husband, a great daddy and he will be greatly missed. We are saddened by this great loss but know he is in a better place. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Macon Phillips. Jon is survived by his wife, Carol of Mexia; daughter, Brandi Lee and husband, Wilmer "Bubba" of Mexia; stepchildren, Allison Best and husband Daymon of Buffalo and Wesley Jonte'; grandchildren, Elizabeth Webster and husband, , Jermarcus of Cedar Hill, Jerrod Phillips and wife, Ashley of Teague, Sean Lee of Fairfield, Briana Lee of Mexia, Tristan and Avery Best of Buffalo, Lyndsie, James and Meagan Jonte'; brother, Jim Phillips and wife, Mary of Eustace; two sisters, Charlsye Adams and Regina Phillips both of Mexia; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jerrod Phillips, Sean Ehren Lee, Toby Phillips, Ricky Sanders, Brad Phillips, Jon Bruce Childs and Chip Phillips.