Dr. Mark Steven Phillips, a.k.a. Uncle Markie, was 58 years old when he passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, AL. His passing was due to heart complications associated with his end-stage renal disease. On March 19, 1965 in Twenty-Nine Palms, California, Mark was born, the youngest son and the fifth of James N. Phillips, Sr. and Louise (Kalchik) Phillips' six children.

Time with family was extremely important to Mark. Having a father who was in the Navy and served as Corpsman with the Marines, was influential to the formation of Mark's character throughout his life. He also took great pride in the legacy his mother left the family, as a dedicated mother and Navy veteran. Mark loved his family and savored every moment when the family was together. Mark and his brother, Jim, would experience fun together every year. For 14 years, they would go to the national matches at Camp Perry and shoot the M1 garand, the 1903 Springfield and the AR 15. For many of those years, they would include family members, including nephews and great nephews. The boys, now men, look back on those times, shooting together, with fondness. He thought of his family often; relationships were extremely special to him. Kevin's son, Mark Steven Phillips, who is named after Mark, is referred to as Baby Uncle Markie within the family. Mark had a "mini me" in both Tony and Angie. Mark had several friends, Matt Urick, Eric Daly, and Judy Westrum, whom he adopted as part of his family.

After graduation in 1983, from Bentley High School (Burton, MI), Mark joined the US Army and trained to become an airframe mechanic. During his time in the US Army, he was gazetted to the position of "acting" Sergeant, E5, a feat of which he was proud. Mark's choice of being an airframe mechanic and his incessant creation and building of models, developed him into a great quality, professional, and systems engineer. After leaving the Army, Mark pursued his education to the fullest with the encouragement of his father. His attainment of collegiate degrees started with receiving an associates degree from Central Texas College, then earning his bachelor's from Western Michigan University, continued by attending Eastern Michigan University for his master's degree, and culminating with receiving his PhD in 2008, from Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Mark Phillips followed the work of Deming and Boyd, whom he found to be pivotal to his understanding of quality. He would often quote Boyd's Roll Call "Do You Want to Be Someone or Do Something?" Mark was a doer, by the evidence of his contribution to the development of others.

Mark believed work was not meant to just be a paycheck. He believed not only would a job be a way to make money, but also to gain knowledge, experience and an opportunity to grow. He worked in different locations with a variety of career experiences. Mark was a renaissance man; knowledgeable about bicycles, trains, pocket watches, military aircraft and guns; he was fascinated by how things worked and how intricate the designs were. The development of timepieces and guns were of particular interest to him. Mark worked as an hourly shop worker, a camp counselor at a troubled youth program, finally becoming a professional in the quality arts. Mark worked at Creative Foam, Lear, Meritor, and ArmaLite. Each position provided him with growth and opportunity, developing himself professionally to eventually get him to work for Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and then Defense Acquisition University (DAU.)

In 2014, Mark moved to Huntsville, Alabama, working at DAU South. In this move he amassed several more close friends, namely Cliff Calhoun and his family, Donnie Rice, Shannon Rose Ross and her sister, Susan, along with John Pavlick, a close neighbor and friend. He enjoyed his experiences with Cliff and Donnie at the shooting ranges. Mark was not married, nor did he have any children, but he greatly loved Shannon Rose Ross with all his being. He enjoyed everything with her so much that he proposed. During Mark's frequent visit to the Fresinius kidney dialysis center, in Madison, he developed a friendship with Presila and Nijeri, his two nurses. For those who met Mark, they found him charming and friendly. Those who were in Mark's circle of friends found him difficult and yet still likable.

As a commodity, he valued time, not only his but others as well, of which he knew he had little. For those who were closest to him, he would often say to them, when distracted from the topic at hand, "You can do that when I'm dead." Mark was not a joiner, although he was a Life Time Member of the NRA. He was also proud to accompany his brother, Jim, and even joined him in Free Masonry. Mark held Christian beliefs, favoring the Roman Catholic tradition.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, James, his mother, Louise, and niece, Sheila Sellon. Mark is survived by siblings Terri, James (Susan), Phil (Lori), Sandi (John), Gerri Anne (Scott) and his nieces and nephews Andrew (Tonia), Jennifer, Tony (Melinda), Steven (Mary), Brian, Kevin (Michelle), Nichol (Chris), Angie (Nick), Mary, and Jimmy, as well as a number of great nieces and nephews. Mark is now at peace, although he died too soon, he will be remembered in our hearts forever.

Mark will be buried at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan on Friday, June 7, 2024.  A committal ceremony and Military Honors will be held at 1:00 PM at the cemetery.  Mark will be buried in adjacent plots to his mother and father.  A commemoration reception is planned for later in the day.  Details to follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Remember Veteran Grave Markers Inc. (RVGMInc).

There are no services planned at this time. Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.