County Safford, Graham County, Arizona, Friday, November 28, 1941 David Dee Phillips,
Thatcher Postmaster, Taken By Death
David Dee Philllips Married Nettie Jones. They are the parents of Josephine (Jo) Phillips
McBride. She is the mother of Darvil David (Mac) McBride, Jon Robert McBride
and Sally Jo McBride Porter Butterfield
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Thatcher ward chapel,
L.D.S. church, for David Dee Phillips, 59, Thatcher postmaster, who died Monday at 9:35 a.m.
following a heart attack earlier in the day. He had been in poor health since a previous attack
several month ago.
Long active in Democratic circles in eastern Arizona, Phillips was appointed postmaster at
Thatcher, February 17, 1941.
Born January 5, 1882, at Kaysville, Utah, Phillips came to the Gila Valley at six years of age
with his parents, and after attending county schools he graduated from the St. Joseph Stake
Academy, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, and took training at L.D.S. Business College
in Salt Lake City.
Entering business in Thatcher as a merchant, he became manager of the dry goods department,
and junior partner to W. W. Pace……. He was active in L.D.S. church activities, served as town
clerk, councilman, mayor and trustee in Thatcher, and later justice of the peace. He was formerly
director of the Graham …… Graham County assessor for three years.
At one time he served as first vice-chairman of the state Democratic central committee,
treasurer of the county Democratic central committee, and was chairman of the Graham County
Garner Clubs.
With Bishop Jack Daley presiding, services opened with “Oh, My Father,” by Singing Mothers
of the Thatcher ward. Invocation was offered by Clarence Naylor.
Wesley Taylor gave a sketch of the life of Mr. Phillips, after which Spencer Kimball sang a
vocal solo, “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” accompanied by Marie Farley.
Glen Hoopes, who had known Mr. Phillips for many years, paid tribute to the deceased as
having lived a long, honest, and useful life.
Glen Kempton sang, “I Shall See Him Face to Face,” accompanied at the piano by his wife.
Concluding speaker was Henry L. Payne, who characterized Mr. Phillips as a courageous and
loving father, and concluded with a tribute to Dad.
Singing Mothers sang, “Sometime We’ll Understand,” and Leo Mortensen pronounced the
benediction.
Pallbearers were Rodney Phillips, Scott Merrill, Eldon Phillips, Phillip Pace, Darvil McBride,
and Reed K. Phillips.
On December 30, 1903 he married Nettie Jones. To this union were born seven children, six
of whom are living. They are Dee D., San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Virgil, Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs.
Eleanor Merrill, Duncan; Mrs. Josephine McBride, Solomonville; Rodney, Safford, and Jean,
Thatcher.
In addition to his children and widow, he is survived by two brothers and two sisters; Rud,
Thatcher; Joe A., Miami; Mrs. Alice Pace, Florence, and Mrs. Priscilla Standage, Mesa, and nine
grandchildren.
Interment was in Thatcher cemetery.
Thatcher, Dec 2 (AP) - The Latter Day Saints Church will conduct funeral services at 2:30 p.m.
tomorrow for David Dee Phillips, Thatcher postmaster and one of Graham county’s most
prominent public officials, who died yesterday.
Phillips, 60 years old, died of heart disease. He had suffered an attack three months ago and
another yesterday morning.
He was appointed postmaster last February 17. Other positions he had held were Graham
county assessor, mayor, councilman and town clerk of Thatcher, justice of the peace, school
trustee, first vice-president of the Democratic State Central Committee, treasurer of the
Democratic County Central Committee, and director of the Graham County Chamber of
Commerce.
Phillips was born January 5, 1882 at Kaysville, Utah. When six years old, he came with his
parents to the Gila Valley.
After attending Graham county schools, he returned to Utah and attended the St. Joseph Stake
Academy, Brigham Young University, and the L.D.S. Business College. He then entered the
mercantile business at Thatcher.
He is survived by his wife, Nettie; three sons, Dee D. of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Virgil of Los
Angeles and Rodney of Safford; three daughters, Jean Phillips of Thatcher, Mrs. Eleanor Merrill
of Duncan, and Mrs. Josephine McBride of Solomonville; two brothers, Rud Phillips of Thatcher
and Joe A. Phillips of Miami, and two sisters, Mrs. Alice Pace of Florence and Mrs. Priscilla
Standage of Mesa.