He had worked for the Experiment Stations both in Milton-Freewater and Hermiston for 23 years.
His hobbies included fishing, hunting and spending time with family.
Mel was preceded in death by his first wife, Gerldine Kenney, they had been married 35 years; son, Glenn Phillips; parents, Richard and Evalee Phillips; and seven brothers and sisters, Hollis, Viola, Ester, Floyd, Earl, Loyd and Leo.
Mel is survived by his wife, Yvonne Phillips of Hermiston; three sons, Arlin Phillips and Clint Phillips, both of Hermiston, and Hal Phillips of Athena; brother, Charles Phillips of Walla Walla, Wash.; two sisters, Jessie Smalley and Bonnie Hensen, both of Caldwell, Idaho; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service and Military Honors will be held on Friday Oct. 18, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hermiston Assembly of God Church, 730 E. Hurlburt Ave., Hermiston.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
