Ben, Jason Phillips, 19
(LB – Lil’ Ben of Hayden, Idaho)
Passed away June 25, 2012, in Coeur d’Alene. Born Nov. 18, 1992, in Boise, Idaho, and the son of Dan and Tracy Phillips of Hayden.
Ben was a native of Idaho and moved from Boise to Hayden in 1998. He graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 2011.
Ben’s big warm heart and willingness to help people out were some of his best traits — but… that BIG INFECTIOUS SMILE is what really reeled you in to him. He could light up a room with that smile and with his sense of humor that would easily make you laugh and turn your day around. It was easy to like Ben and be around him because of his personality.
LB was a “Free Spirit” who absolutely loved living everyday to its fullest. If something was fun he would have a passion for it and he had many things that he loved. Hanging out with his friends, the outdoors, Moyie Mud Bogs, his truck, whiffle ball, all kinds of music, bonfires, animals and especially hunting and fishing. Some of his best times were hunting and fishing with “Papa Joe” and also going to Mariner and Seahawk games with Papa Joe and uncle Carter.
Ben also loved his job at Applebee’s. He started there in January 2010 and worked many different positions. He had just finished training to be a server and was so excited about that. In two and a half years we never heard him complain about going to work.
In his younger days he was very, very fast. It was always fun to watch him run the bases or the grade school cross country races. In kindergarten, first and fifth grades he was The District Cross Country Champ. His 9, 10, 11 and 12-year-old years he was a Hayden Little League All-Star and won the long ball contest his 12-year-old year. He was also a member of the fifth and eighth grade Jr. Tackle Champion Steelers. He played freshman baseball for CHS and was also a member of the Forestry Team.
Ben is survived by his brother, Jake Phillips (Hayden/Williston, N.D.); grandparents Joe and Bobbi Watts (Eagle, Idaho); great-grandmother Toni Boor (Boise); great-uncle Daryl and Sandra Hezeltine (Emmett, Idaho); great-uncle Carter Watts (Bremerton, Wash.); grandmother Ruby Phillips (San Carlos, Calif.); AND WAY TOO MANY Engebretson’s around the country to list.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Walter Phillips; great-grandfather Howard Boor and his uncle, Chad Pearson.
Please join us in Celebrating Ben’s life at noon Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers — please make donations to Kootenai Humane Society.