John Duffie Phillips

Col. John Duffie Phillips, United States Air Force, Retired, age 86, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022. John was born in Beebe, AR, to Frances Ann King and Ernest Fred Phillips. He attended Little Rock Central High School, the University of Arkansas, and attained his master’s degree from Troy University. Following his graduation, John was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF. John began his military career at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV, where he completed the advanced fighter course prior to his first operational assignment flying the F-100. John’s subsequent assignments were at multiple fighter bases throughout the world. He would go on to fly the F-105 and F-111 serving as an Operations Officer and Squadron Commander. His military schooling institutions included the Air Force Command and Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Army War College. His final assignment was at the United States Army Command and Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. In total, John’s decorated military career spanned more than thirty years. His military honors included two Legions of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals, an Air Force Commendation Medal, and an Army Commendation Medal. Following his retirement from the USAF, John and his wife, Liz, moved to Little Rock to be near their family.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Ann Phillips Adams, Mary Frances Phillips Barnes; and his son, Craig Melton Phillips. He is survived by his wife, Liz, of 62 years; son, Scott (Denice); daughter, Ellen Phillips Scruggs (David); grandchildren, Kyle Phillips (Sue), Austin Phillips, Kaitlynn Phillips Kennedy (Jim), Trace Scruggs, John Scruggs, Karsten Phillips, and Liam Phillips; three great grandchildren; and niece, Becky Barnes Olson (Stuart). John dearly loved and cared for his family, and he will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, AR. Following the memorial service, a committal service with military honors will be held at 1 PM at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR 72120. Memorials in John’s honor may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church.