Marvin Harold Phillips

Born on January 30, 1940 in Tulare, California, to Gus and Nellie Phillips, Marv was the youngest of 8 children. He left this life to follow his beautiful bride, Lawanna, on February 9, 2026. Just 10 days after his 86th birthday. With a family history of critical heart disease this number was significant to him as he was the longest living of the 8 children thanks to amazing medical intervention. Marv was one of the first 100 open heart patients at Kaweah Delta. Cared for by Dr. Frederick Mayer and his team, along with Dr. Vinod Gupta and Dr, Gurtej Dhillon. He was more recently cared for by Dr. Usman Javed and his amazing medical team, including his granddaughters, Nicole Phillips and Annette Gonzalez. A local boy, Marv attended Union Elementary School, was a farm laborer following crops, and graduated from Mt. Whitney High School. He had a love for music, specifically, the Rat Pack, big band and Elvis. Marv played valve trombone in the jazz band and would go to Lemoore Naval Air Base to play at dances. He then joined the US Army stationed in Hanau, Germany post-war where he served as an MP, participated on the rifle team, and was the Secretary of Communications. Marv really didn't like to talk much about his time in service as the memories of clean up working around the concentration camps and what he saw was too heartbreaking. Highlights of his time serving were traveling around with his Army buddies, especially Don whom he spoke to at least monthly over the last 50 years, road racing and purchasing his first Porsche. The beginning of his love of Porsches and racing! After pursuing her relentlessly, Marv married the love of his life, Lawanna Hurst, on February 17, 1962. They began building their life together and enjoyed spending time playing cards with other couples. On February 18, 1963, they welcomed their first child, a handsome baby boy, Richard. Richard became his dad's sidekick and was so up to Marv's passing. They welcomed a second child, Cheri, on July 5, 1965, and finally, the baby of the family, Rhonda, was born on June 15, 1967. They loved to take the family to Disneyland, oftentimes waking up in the early morning hours and making the trek to Anaheim for a full day of fun then staying the night with family before heading home. Together they spent a lot of time at Disneyland along with weekends camping at the coast, mountains, visiting family and enjoying the landscape, dinner shows and snow in Lake Tahoe. Many knew him as a little league baseball coach turned men's fast pitch softball coach, race car driver, engine mechanic, motorcycle mechanic for Richard's motocrossing days, and crew chief for the Phillips Racing Team. Weekends were often filled with motorcycle riding with all three kids, working on his 1964 Plymouth Belvedere race car "The Coyote", later moving to a fuel altered, rebuilding engines and bbqs with friends who always stopped by once the garage doors were opened or a car engine was fired up. Race tracks and building engines were where he met so many that became lifelong friends. Everyone that knew Marv knew he loved his cowboy boots almost as much as his grandchildren. He was seen everywhere in his boots including on the race track and, yes, there are a few stories to be told! He was a super proud grandpa favoring that over being a parent. Marv would often say "If I had known how much fun it was to be a grandparent, I would have skipped having kids and done that first!" Of course we would all laugh reminding him he had to be a parent first! Each and every grandchild had a special place in his heart and although he wasn't always quick to tell them he would tell others just how very proud he was. After their grandma's passing, all of the grandkids surprised their grandpa with donuts and lawn chairs to sit outside and catch up. A memory he never forgot. Although not one to sit and read with his children, Marv was reading a story to his then two year old granddaughter, Gabbi, just hours before he had a massive heart attack, dying at home and being resuscitated by paramedics. Although he had had a few heart attacks prior this was the one that started a chain of events with significant cardiac care. Marv was a dreamer of everything good and an entrepreneur in manufacturing retiring due to his heart condition. Marv then scaled back on other things to care for Lawanna in so many ways as her health failed from a stroke followed by dementia. His love for her was even more apparent as her health declined. He missed her so much after her passing. Marv was predeceased by his parents, all of his siblings, and his love, Lawanna. He is survived by his son, Richard Phillips (Mashell), daughters, Cheri Phillips Barnes (Jeff) , and Rhonda Phillips (Chuck); 9 grandchildren, Ron, Gabbi, Ashley, Jason, Nicole, Jacob, Jeremy, Alex, and Annette; three great-grandchildren, several great-grand dogs and a multitude of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to a local cardiac or cancer charity. Those wishing to attend his Graveside services will be held 9:00 AM Monday, February 23rd, 2026 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Family asked to wear his favorite color blue or a favorite racing shirt. Hot rods optional! Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Marvin Harold Phillips

January 30, 1940 - February 9, 2026