"Cowboy" Jerry Wayne Phillips

“Cowboy” Jerry Wayne Phillips, 80, of Clayton, passed from this life in his home and surrounded by his loving family on January 12, 2021. He was born in Mooresville on September 20, 1940, to the late Charles Raymond and Hazel Irene (McCoy) Phillips. The middle child of 8, Jerry was raised in Morgan County, and at an early age acquired the nickname “Cowboy”, because of his favorite outfit, a diaper and cowboy boots. Jerry worked for Mooresville Block in high school and graduated with the class of 1959 from Monrovia High School. He attended the Monrovia United Methodist Church as a child, and later secured employment with John Hall Construction as a truck driver. Set up on a double date, Jerry met his future wife, Joyce. On the third date, while at the drive in, he snuck a quick kiss and began 61-year love affair. The happy couple were united in marriage on March 4, 1961 and started their happy family. Country to the bone and a true cowboy at heart, Jerry adored everything horse related. He was past president of the Golden Spurs Saddle Club, along with being a member of the Hendricks county and Bainbridge Saddle Clubs. A loving father, Cowboy led by example, teaching his children and grandkids the value of hard work and dedication to the things you love. He will be deeply profoundly missed. Along with his parents, Cowboy was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Robert Phillips; and siblings, Eugene and Dale Phillips, Nancy Gordon, and Karen Koons. Cowboy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce R. (Roberts) Phillips of Clayton; children, Jerry Lee Phillips (Samantha) of Gosport, Nina May Ashlock (Dennis) of Pocahontas, AR, and Julia Jennifer Parrish (Scott) of Spencer; siblings, Beverly Gregory of Avon, Donna Berling of Monrovia, and Glen Phillips of Brownsburg; 17 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; along with countless nieces and nephews and friends from his days of truck driving, horse shows, saddle clubs and trail riding. Due to current county and state COVID-19 guidelines, public gatherings have been limited to contain no more than 25 people. All attendees are required to provide and wear their own facial masks throughout the duration of services. Please be mindful of social distancing and avoid all personal contact to slow the spreading of the virus. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Monday, January 18, 2021, at Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m., Pastor Justin Cook will officiate, and services will be livestreamed on Light Memorial’s Facebook page. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall, and Cowboy will be taken to his final resting place on a flatbed semi. In lieu of flowers, his family is seeking assistance with his final expenses, c/o Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel, 585 E. Main St., Monrovia, IN 46157. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Cowboy’s memory search Facebook for Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel @MonroviaFuneralHome or visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

Tributes

"Cowboy" Jerry Wayne Phillips

September 20, 1940 - January 12, 2021