James Phillips

James Kerwin Phillips
1949 - 2021
In the early evening of January 7, 2021, the world lost one of its great and irreplaceable forces for good with the passing of James Kerwin Phillips. With no warning, Jim graduated from this life into the waiting arms of his beloved Savior, whom he had endeavored to serve his whole life. Oh, what a reunion that must have been!
Jim was born January 23, 1949 to his precious parents Kerwin (Ki) and Ysabel Phillips. He grew up in idyllic San Luis Obispo, California, sharing his life with his eight siblings: Michael, Matthew (deceased), Thomas, Peter, Suzi, Mary Ann, Paul, and Joseph. His early years were filled with sports of every kind. He attended parochial schools, graduating from Mission High School in 1967 after playing football, baseball, and wrestling. From an early age Jim sought and found his Savior. He received the Religion Award from Mission High School, at the time the only young man to have ever been given that honor.
When Jim was seventeen, he met and fell head over heels in love with Starla Swenson who would, eight years later, become his wife. Thus started a grand love affair that would last the next 55 years, vibrant and beautiful until the day he would pass through mortality!
After graduation Jim went on to play football and baseball at Cuesta College, a local Junior College in San Luis Obispo. After his freshman year he determined to learn for himself if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true. He was baptized in August of 1968 by Starla’s father and never looked back!
A year later Jim was recruited by Brigham Young University to play football. His experience there sparked in him a life-long passion and love for all things BYU. He was true blue, through and through. Many of his children and grandchildren have chosen to follow in his footsteps and embrace the Cougs.
He graduated from BYU in 1971. At the age of 23, he left his family and sweetheart to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the England Central Mission. It was a pivotal experience that would change his life forever. To the day he died, his greatest desire was to bring others to Christ, never hesitating to testify of Him!
After the completion of his mission he married his eternal companion, Starla Swenson, on March 28, 1974 in the Los Angeles LDS temple. Together they raised their children: Jami Phillips, Ashlee Merback (Jake), BriAnn Hoopes (Dan), Megan Capps (Heath), and Tanner Phillips (Shelby). He counted them his greatest blessing and achievement.
In college Jim found his passion for business. Jim was faithful and fearless. In his lifetime he created six successful businesses, the last being Digital Gateway, which he sold in 2012 and retired. This allowed Jim to fulfill a life-long dream of serving another mission, this time with Starla at his side. They were called to serve the young adults from all over the world who came to the Britannia Ward at the Hyde Park Chapel in London, England. Oh, how he adored his “kids”. He would often tell people that he left for London with five children and came home with 400.
Upon returning to Utah, Jim and Starla were called to serve as Addiction Recovery Missionaries. What a powerful experience they had, witnessing the Atonement heal those struggling with addiction. They were also able to serve as temple ordinance workers in the Provo, Utah temple. With all their hearts they loved the chance to serve together in the House of the Lord!
In the fall of this past year Jim and Starla made the decision to start a new chapter in their lives. After living in their beloved Orem Sharon Stake for 27 years, they moved to a small ranch in Heber Utah with their son Tanner and his family joining them. For the past couple months Jim would get up every morning with a big grin, exclaiming how he was living his dream! We, his family, will be eternally grateful he was able to leave this world with a smile on his face.
Anyone who knew Jim immediately recognized that he lived his life in a state of passion: passion for his beloved BYU (never missing a football or basketball game), passion for skiing with his children and grandchildren at his beloved Sundance, and passion for business. As he grew older, he would find great joy in taking every opportunity to coach young people who were embarking on careers or mentoring those starting on a new venture. He was his very happiest getting an early morning waterski run with his crew, laying it down at Lake Powell. Lake Powell, shared with all those he loved, was his magic place. Memories were made there never to be forgotten. His greatest passion was his love for the Savior and the gospel restored. He never tired of sharing his testimony and pointing others toward God.
Those who were blessed to know him, realized Jim never met a stranger. Every soul was a potential friend. Because of his business travels Jim had countless friends all over the world. We want you all to know he sincerely loved and cared deeply for each one of you.
Jim is survived by his eternal companion Starla, seven siblings, his children, their spouses and his greatest prize, his 16 grandchildren who lovingly called him Baba.
A couple years ago someone said, “Have you ever tried to say no to Jim Phillips?!!” He was a force to be reckoned with. We can only imagine how the heavens are shaking at his arrival there. Though our hearts are broken, we testify with a deep and abiding conviction that families are forever! “Until we meet again…”