Terry Phillips Obituary

Terry Lee Phillips

Terry Lee Phillips, 77, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 20, 2025, after a three-year cancer battle. Coach Phillips, Vanlue, Ohio, received his B.A. in English from the University of Findlay and his M.Ed. in Education from Bowling Green State University.

As a 30-year-plus educator and former basketball coach, Coach Phillips began his coaching and teaching career at Elyria High School before moving on to become head coach at McComb High School near Findlay. He then became head coach at Tiffin Columbian High School, where he is still second on the all-time wins list for the program. After many years at Columbian teaching English, Coach Phillips continued his career in education as head Principal at the former West Middle School in Tiffin. Following retirement from public education in 2000, Coach Phillips spent the next decade and a half as an adjunct professor and the Director of Field Placement at Heidelberg University in Tiffin.

Coach Phillips relished time with his family and grandchildren, reading, and he was an avid Detroit Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. His love for golf is widely known and he enjoyed socializing with his countless friends and acquaintances at the Elks Lodge in Tiffin, where he was a 40-plus-year member. A classic story-teller, Coach Phillips' warm sense of humor, smile and congeniality made him popular with all who had the pleasure of keeping his company. He was known for his many travels around Tiffin on his little red scooter. Coach Phillips so enjoyed his role as a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Coach Phillips is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Lois (nee Rochester) of Tiffin; two children, son, Todd (Melissa nee Briggs) of Bexley and daughter, Valerie (Eric) Ott of Hudson; stepsons, David and Andy Rochester and stepdaughter, Sara Rochester; grandchildren, Kincade and Harper Phillips, Olivia and Maris Ott; and stepgrandchildren, Adelynn, Olivia, Paige, Dylan, Tyler and Liam Bohanan. He is also survived by his brothers, Fred (Nancy nee Breitigam) of Vanlue, Rick (Donna nee Broadwater) of Kingsport, Tennessee; and his sister, Sharon (Steve) May of Vanlue.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph "Doc" and Helen Phillips (nee Sullenberger); and his brother, David Phillips.

Coach Phillips' children will host a remembrance of him at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Vanlue Park Community Building in Vanlue.

A local memorial service will be at Tiffin Elks at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions and donations be made to F.A.C.T. or SouthernCare Hospice, 9501 US Highway 250 N., Suite 2, Milan, OH 44846.

Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.