1 Photo
James H. Phillips Jr.
James H. Phillips Jr. died at his home on September 4, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was 93 and was known by many nicknames, “Uncle Jim,” “Junior,” “Pancho” and “Pop.”
Born on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on October 4, 1925, he was the sone of the late James and Alice (Thompson) Phillips, members of the Poosepatuck and Shinnecock Tribes, respectively. An industrious person, his first job was doing errands for Enstine’s gas station as a young boy.
During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army as a quartermaster assigned to posts in Germany, France and the Philippines.
He worked for the Town of Southampton’s highway department for 32 years before retiring. He also worked for the late Herb McCarthy at the Bowden Square for 18 years and at the Shinnecock Golf Course as a yard man. alongside fellow tribe member, the late Peter Smith Sr., who was head groundskeeper at the time.
He was a member of the Dunes Post VFW 7009, holding the position of surgeon; he was one of the post’s founding members. He served as an Elder of the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church and played on the Shinnecock Bowling League.
He ran the original soda stand at the annual Shinnecock Powwow with his best friends Raymond and Reginald (Poochie) Gardner. He and his wife did a lot of traveling with their friends, family and the Shinnecock Senior Citizen Club. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and enjoying a slow ride around his home, the Shinnecock Nation.
Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marion (Wise) Phillips; five children, Linda (Leigh) Franklin, Shelley Moore, James Keith, Tanis (Robert) Robinson and Susan (Jenaro) Soto of the Shinnecock Reservation; nine) grandchildren, Eric, Micah, Jahnna, Ricky, Janelle, Megan, Ashley, Tiana and Derek; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his two sisters, Edith Scott and Phyllis Rich, and two brothers-in-law, Donald Williams Sr. and Walter Wise Jr.; and two godchildren, Nafeesah Abdurashid and Donald Williams Jr.
He was predeceased by his sister, Tanis Scott.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
Staff Writer on Sep 9, 2019