Dr. Darrell Calvin Phillips--"Doc"--age 97. Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, retired veterinarian, rancher, farmer, and avid gardener, was called home on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Long Term Care in WaKeeney, Kansas.

Darrell was born on January 1, 1926, just south of present-day Cedar Bluff Reservoir, the son of Caleb and Lou Agnes Emerald (Henley) Phillips. He graduated from Trego Community High School in 1944 and from the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1949. After working in Hutchinson, Kansas for one year, Darrell returned to WaKeeney and opened his own practice.

In November of 1961 Darrell married Betty Ann Sellers (Florence, KS) and to this union five children were born. Betty died in October of 1990. Eight years later Darrell married Patricia (Faught) Crawford and happily added more members to his family circle.

Purposeful. Genuine. Resourceful. Industrious. Determined. Generous. Exacting. . . Doc was a multi-faceted man. Whatever he did was undertaken with a deliberate and focused intensity, whether it be an early morning surgery, singing in the church choir, recording a day's precipitation, speeding to an emergency, spending time with his grandchildren, lacing up his work boots, placing seeds in a garden trench, baiting a fishing hook, building a fence, playing a game, or taking a power nap. Doc was an extraordinary veterinarian who intentionally and sincerely served people and their pets and livestock for miles around. For several years he served on the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners. He retired from practice in 1995. Even then, as a life-long learner, he continued to keep his veterinary license current until the end. Doc was a man of the earth and delighted in the miracle of new life bursting forth from the ground. Although a man of few words, Doc cared deeply for his loved ones, his clients, his church family, and his community. Among many groups he was involved with, Doc was an active member in his church, Lion's Club, KLA, KVMA, and a supporter of 4-H and FFA.

Doc was here. Now he's gone. And yet, he lives on. Praise God!

Darrell was preceded in death by his sister, Ella May; his parents, Caleb Phillips and Agnes Phillips; and two remarkable wives--Betty and Pat. Survivors include his daughters, Sue (Tracy) Ahlquist of Onaga, KS, Janet (Jeff) Fletcher of Kechi, KS, Sarah (Brad) Simon of Hoxie, KS; his sons, John (Julie) Phillips of Lees Summit, MO and Chad Phillips of Soldier, KS; his stepsons, Steve (Rebecca) Crawford of Greenville, IL and Alan (Cara) Crawford of Latham, MO; nineteen grandchildren; numerous great-grand children, brothers Bill and Raymond of WaKeeney, KS, and sister Ardath Briscoe Brough of Kansas City, MO.

Darrell donated his body to the University of Kansas Medical School. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23 at the First United Methodist Church of WaKeeney. A visitation will be at the church Monday, May 22, from 6-8 p.m. Inurnment will be at a future date at the Vansburg Cementery in Brownell, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care through Schmitt Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared at www.schmittfuneral.com .

Audio Recording of Memorial Service Below