DeWitt D. Phillips, Jr. ’44

DeWitt D. Phillips, Jr. ’44 of Charlotte, N.C., died January 24, 2007. He was a graduate of WakeForest’s Bowman Gray School of Medicine. He began an active practice in Charlotte after a residency in Philadelphia. During the Korean War he served as base surgeon at Pope Air Force base and was honorably discharged as a captain in the United States Air Force. He retired in 1989 as a Charlotte physician who practiced for forty-three years. Over the years, “DD,” as he was known to his family and friends, contributed with tremendous energy to various volunteer causes. He was a devoted Shriner and Potentate of the OasisTemple in Charlotte. He chaired the Shrine Bowl Football Game for a number of years and also served as the teams’ physician. He was past chairman of the board of governors for the GreenvilleShrinersHospital for Crippled Children. It was his love for helping others that endeared him to the Shrine organization. He was past president of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was awarded the Masonic 33rd degree for service to the Masonic Order. He served on the board at Oxford Orphanage. He was a devoted member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and elder, and taught Sunday school class. He served on the board at MontreatAndersonCollege. It was at church that “DD” met and eventually married his beloved wife, the former Geraldine Grady. Dr. Phillips was a beloved benefactor of DavidsonCollege, where he graduated in three years. He was president of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and served in various capacities as a volunteer for the fraternity and the school. He and his wife Geri eventually retired to Southminster where he served as vice mayor and mayor. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Grady Phillips, 8919 Park Rd. Apt 246, Charlotte, N.C. 28210; son, John DeWitt Phillips ’88; daughter-in-law, Alice B. Phillips; and four beloved grandchildren, Jack, Anna, Elizabeth, and Luke Phillips.