Preston Fletcher Phillips

Preston Fletcher Phillips

March 1, 1933 - April 11, 2023

GOTHENBURG, Neb. - Preston Fletcher Phillips, 90, passed away at the Hillcrest Estates in Gothenburg, Neb. on April 11, 2023.

He was born in Freedom, Neb. on March 1, 1933, to Kenneth and Ilma (Wymore) Phillips. He attended and graduated high school in 1951 at UNSA, Curtis, Neb.

On April 20, 1952, he was united in marriage to Shirley Wood. Shirley preceded him in death on Dec. 3, 2021.

Preston served his country in the United States Army from Feb. 1953, until Feb. 4, 1955, when he transferred to the reserves for six years and received an Honorable Discharge.

He returned home to north of Cambridge where he farmed. Preston was employed by Bellamy Implement of Arapahoe for over 30 years as a salesman.

Preston and Shirley loved to fish. They ran set lines in the creek behind the farm daily, with the kids, and spent many Sundays on the Medicine Creek fishing.

After retirement, Preston and Shirley purchased a camper and would go to Canada for the past 18 years near Saskatchewan, on the Churchill River. They would head north, close to the time that the ice melted, and return home late fall. They were always trying to catch the illusive “Elsie”, the big Northern Pike. The last several years they were camp hosts and would fly into the resort.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Becky Sue; parents, Kenneth and Ilma.

Preston is survived by daughter, Marty and husband, Dennis Petersen of Cambridge; two sons, Steven and wife, Julie Phillips of Grand Junction, Colo., Jim and wife, Noelle Phillips of Gretna, Neb.; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sister, Jeanette Phillips of Alaska; brother, Duane and wife, Barb Phillips of Cambridge.

Graveside inurnment will be held at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell on Fri., June 2, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. with Jim Jones officiatng. Nebraska Army Reserve Detail with conduct the Military Honors.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements.