James “Big Jim” Clement Phillips, 86, Excelsior Springs, MO, passed away quietly December 29, 2022, at Valley Manor & Rehabilitation Center, Excelsior Springs, MO. He was born July 19, 1936, in Kansas City, MO.
During high school, Mr. Phillips was an All State football and basketball player. He went on to play basketball at Truman State University where he also earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. Most recently, he was a retired teacher, administrator, and high school basketball coach. In 2020, he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame with the Glascow High School Boys’ Basketball teams. Mr. Phillips amassed 174 victories while coaching at Glascow, and his teams were Top 4 state finishers multiple years.
Mr. Phillips was an avid fan of the Missouri Tigers football and basketball teams, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. If any of these games were televised, he was in front of the TV cheering the team on.
Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by his parents, James and Carrie Phillips; and his wife, Caroline L. Phillips.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., January 9, 2023, at Bross and Spidle Funeral Home, 217 W. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO. Inurnment at Keytesville Cemetery in the spring. Memorials suggested to Excelsior Springs Animal Control Center in honor of Jim’s love of animals.