James Douglas Phillips, M.D., “Doug,” 79, of Inverness, FL. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on June 7, 2013, surrounded by his family and friends, under the loving care of Hospice of Citrus County of the Nature Coast. He was born in Standing Rock, AL. on February 3, 1934.
He attended Pre-Med at Memphis State, Memphis, TN. 1952-1955 and was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha. He continued at the University of Tennessee, Memphis,TN., was President of his senior class and graduated with an M.D. degree in 1958. He did his residency in General Surgery at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, TN. He completed his residency in Urology and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, TN. He served as Staff Pathologist at the Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, TN. 1965-1966. From 1966-1971 he served as Associate Director of Resident Training at Methodist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, TN.
In 1971 he moved to St. Petersburg, FL where he served as Associate Director of the Laboratory and taught Medical Technology at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, FL. During this time he also served as Associate Clinical Laboratory Professor at the University of South Florida Medical School in Tampa, FL. From 1982 until his retirement in 1996, he was Director of the Laboratory at E.H. White Memorial Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL. He was a Diplomate of the American Board Of Clinical Pathologists, Ameritus Fellow of The College of American Pathologists and Ameritus Fellow of the College of Clinical Pathologists. He was a member of the Pacific Rim Maltese Club and Co-Founder of “Families For Truth About Gander.”
He was preceded in death by his only son, Sgt. James D. Phillips, Jr. and his grandson, Nicholas Scott Carter. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years, Zona Lee, daughter, Samantha Phillips, Atlanta, GA,step-daughters, Stephanie Hall, Tampa, FL., Christi Carter, Pinellas Park, FL, grand-daughter, Michelle Phillips, Seoul, Korea, WO1 Lee Scott Carter (Katharina) and great-grandson, Soren Carter, Ft. Rucker, AL.
An avid fisherman and hunter, he loved boating and water activities. He enjoyed his home on the lake, tending his roses and gardens. In his retirement years he and his wife were involved in Maltese dog rescue because of their love for the breed. He will be deeply missed by his four beloved Maltese he called “his girls.” He spent a great deal of time connecting with his past medical school classmates, students and friends on the internet. He loved teaching family members anything concerning medicine, fishing, gardening and things he was passionate about. He was renowned for his sense of humor. He was at his best when surrounded by people he could entertain and make laugh. The stories he told of his childhood and college years were many and they never failed to spread humor no matter how often he told them.
In lieu of flowers, Doug requested donations be made to Hospice of Citrus County of the Nature Coast, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL. 34464 or your local SPCA.
Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home will be in charge of private cremation. A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on June 22, 2013 at 1:00 P.M.at, Calvary Chapel, 960 So. U.S. Hwy. 44, Inverness, FL, 34450
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