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Lynton Matt Phillips, 82

Lynton Matt Phillips celebrated his 82nd birthday on Christmas Eve and passed away on New Year’s Eve, in Coeur d’Alene, where he lived for 15 years. He was born in Yuba City, Calif. in 1937, and was raised in Sutter, Calif., at the foot of the Sutter Buttes. He was the son of Juana Hawley Phillips and Matt Phillips, who proceeded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Hankins Phillips; his three sons: Bill Phillips and his wife, Debbie, of Rathdrum; Lynn Phillips and his wife, Kirby, of Yuba City; and Chris Phillips and his wife, Martina, of Marysville, Calif.; his four grandchildren: Alyssa Castro and her husband, Zac, of Post Falls; Chris (Pher) Phillips and his fiancée, Heather Erickson of Coeur d’Alene; Emily Phillips of Rathdrum and Ashley Phillips of Marysville.; and three great-grandchildren: Jacob Castro, Eloise Castro and Sierra May Phillips. He is also survived by his sister, Ermina Phillips Jacobsen of Santa Clara, Calif., who loved to call him “Brother Dear;” and numerous extended family members who were very special to him.

As a young boy, he enjoyed spending time at his grandparents’ ranch in the Sutter Buttes. In high school, he played in the band, sang in the choir and excelled in basketball. As a sophomore, he built a utility trailer which he refinished many times through the years, and used his whole life. In his senior year, he built a Chris Craft boat from a kit, and was an avid water skier. He especially loved to ski on Lake Tahoe.

In 1958, three years after graduating from Sutter High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Hankins, from Meridian, Calif. They were married for 61 years and she was at his side when he passed.

He served in the National Guard, from 1961 through 1965, as a communications operator.

He spent most of his life working in management in agricultural warehousing in the Sutter County area and worked at Diamond Walnut Growers in Live Oak, Calif. He contributed greatly to the building of three of his family homes and enjoyed doing electrical work for many people. Upon retirement, he enjoyed helping many people in the neighborhood by doing odd jobs and harvesting rice in the fall season. In his later life, he volunteered at the Lake City Church Food Bank in Coeur d’Alene. It was the highlight of his week.

The joys of his life were his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed coaching Little League and was fortunate to be able to coach his two oldest sons, Bill and Lynn. Although he wasn’t an avid fisherman, he was thrilled to have taken his youngest son, Chris, deep-sea fishing, and Chris caught a fish that was the largest to be caught in that area at that time. He loved to tease, and especially loved to tease his granddaughters about their ripped jeans and unmatched socks. He also loved watching his grandson race Outlaw Karts.

He loved travel and camping in his fifth-wheel trailer, especially with his grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening and took great pride in his tomatoes and his lawn. He was an avid 49ers fan, and enjoyed watching NASCAR with his grandson. He also enjoyed attending the Heart of the City Church, in Coeur d’Alene.

A special thank you to the pastors and people from Heart of the City Church and the Lake City Church Food Bank, for their kindness and prayers. Also, a special thank you to the ladies from Kindred Health and Hospice for their wonderful care over the past few years.

Lynton had requested that there be no official service. There will be a scattering of his ashes at a later date.