Chester “Chet” Neusom Phillips, 66, died suddenly on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.
Chet was born on April 14, 1949, in Medford. Chet graduated from Riverside High School in Boardman in 1967 as the state champion football quarterback. He attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton where his basketball team was recognized by the NWACC as a hall of fame team.
It was during his time at BMCC when he was reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Lorrie Peterson Phillips, who was also attending BMCC. After graduation from Blue Mountain, he went to Oregon College of Education where he obtained his teaching degree. He pursued his career in Education in Sheridan as a junior high school English teacher, while coaching the football and basketball teams.
After seven years of teaching, he and his family moved to Beaverton where he worked for Equitable/Axa Insurance Company for over 25 years. His love of sports kept him busy with volunteering as a football and baseball coach during this time. Shortly after his retirement, Chet and Lorrie moved back to Boardman where he helped take care of Lorrie’s ailing parents. Chet was a passionate hunter and fisherman who loved taking his wife, sons, grandsons, and friends with him on his many adventures outdoors. On his 50th birthday, he shot his prized trophy bull elk. Another hobby of his was stock car racing in Hermiston where he became the 2005 street stock class champion. He was an avid gardener, caretaker, photographer, and traveler. He was passionate about the future of his hometown and became mayor of Boardman in 2008. In his leisurely time, he enjoyed cooking for friends, family, and those at the local senior center where he volunteered.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lorrie Peterson Phillips; his two sons, Dean and Terry Phillips; his grandsons Will Phillips and Michael Crawford. He was also survived by one brother and five sisters.
Respectively, the family will be holding a private family memorial service. Condolences may be sent to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
