Francis Theodore Phillips
Francis “Ted” Theodore Phillips, III died of respiratory failure at the University of Virginia on January 15, 2025. He was 77 years old. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family, 6 years and 3 months after receiving the gift of life. He was an organ donation recipient October 2018 when he received a double lung transplant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His family will forever be grateful for the gift of organ donation and the addition 6 years of life and love that was shared because of this ultimate gift.
Ted was born in Alaska and moved frequently during his youth due to his father’s military career. The family settled in Virginia. Ted served his country in the Air Force and then the Army National Guard Reserves, retiring after 25 years. Ted graduated from Virginia Tech in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. In addition to his service in the military, he worked for Abbott Laboratories in Altavista, Virginia for more than 20 years as a supervisor and information technology specialist. After leaving Abbott, he continued work as an IT specialist for Campbell County Schools. He loved his role as “Computer Ted” and enjoyed solving computer problems at home, at Abbott, and in the schools.
Ted pursued life and hobbies with vigor and absolute determination. Some of his pursuits included wood working, fishing, SCUBA, fitness, collecting tools, computers, feeding birds (and all wildlife) and spending time at the beach. Recently, Ted rigged up bird feeders with pulley systems in an attempt to make bear-proof bird feeders; he watched the feeders with wildlife cameras to monitor the engineering successes and failures. He was a quiet person, preferring to tinker in the workshop rather than spend time in crowds, but he loved his family and friends dearly.
Ted is predeceased by his parents, Lt Col Francis Theodore Phillips, Jr. and Elizabeth Salter Phillips, and his sister, Sara Chase. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Louise Phillips; a daughter, Jessicah Collins (Stephen) and a son, Stephen Phillips (Debbie). He has three beloved grandchildren, Nathan Phillips, Caroline Collins, and Catherine Grace Collins; a sister, Barbara Young (Stephen); a brother, Richard Phillips (Kay); and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He has additional family in Kansas, Laurie Ann and Joe Grant, children Christina, Justin and Brian. He shared many treasured moments with lifelong friends who were like family from Altavista, Virginia.
During this time of loss, Ted’s family is deeply grateful for friends and family who have immediately embraced them with love and comfort. We are truly thankful for the overwhelming response from community and family, and we feel how much we and Ted are loved.
Ted’s celebration of life will be at Olivet Presbyterian Church, 2575 Garth Road, Charlottesville, Virginia on January 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Olivet Presbyterian Church, 2575 Garth Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 or Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
