David Calvin Phillips

David Calvin Phillips, 94, husband of Elizabeth “Libby” Mahaffey Phillips, died Friday March 29, 2019 with her by his side. Mr. Phillips was born on February 22, 1925 in Lancaster, South Carolina, one of 10 children of the late Stephen and Evie Harper Phillips. Surviving are his son, Gregory Mark Phillips and daughter, Lisa Carrier, both of Florence, daughters Cindy Gibson (Matt) of Midland, North Carolina and Alison Nichols (Russ) of Annapolis, Maryland; grandchildren, Caroline (Justin) Mercer of Baytown, Texas, William Carrier of Annapolis, Maryland, Thomas Gibson and Zackary Hancock, III, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolyn (Josh) Dietz and Josh (Tammy) Nichols of Roanoke, Virginia; three great grandchildren all of Roanoke, Virginia and a fourth great-grandchild due in September; sister, Clovis Steele of Lancaster; sisters-in-law, Faustina Mahaffey of Charleston and Judy Phillips of Jacksonville, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his siblings and in-laws, Jeanette Baker (Brooks), Clyde (Maggielene), Mildred, Marion Shearer (Arthur), Lillian Crenshaw (Troy), Steve (Eileen), Ethel Morton(James), Charles; and brother-in-law, Robbie Steele. David graduated Heath Springs High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy.Too tall for subs and with eyesight too poor for flying, he served as radioman on an LST during the invasions of southern France and Anzio, Italy. In 2016, the nation of France awarded him the French Legion of Honour Medal, the highest French order of merit, for his war service to that country. After the war, Dave began a career in broadcasting, first as an on air announcer and then moving into sales.He lived in Kansas City, Kansas; Niagara Falls, New York; Wilmington Delaware; Weston, West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; then closer to home at WGCD in Chester, South Carolina; and then Lancaster’s WLCM. While in Lancaster he met a lovely young lady, Libby Mahaffey, home for the summer from USC. They married in a Christmas Day service in 1954 and moved to Columbia, South Carolina where Dave began work as Sales Manager at WNOK and Libby continued teaching. While at WNOK, Dave was instrumental in originating telecasts of the First Baptist Church’s Sunday services, a program that continues today. He was also active in numerous civic organizations including the USO, The Junior Chamber of Commerce, and served as Scoutmaster for the St. Martin in the Field Boy Scouts of America troop. After the birth of their son, Greg, and daughter, Lisa, the young family moved to Florence, South Carolina in 1960 where Dave was General Manager at WYNN radio.Daughters Cindy and Alison were born in Florence in the ensuing years. In 1965, he and Libby established Handy Rentals, renting everything from hospital equipment to tables and chairs. He began a career in commercial real estate in the late 1970’s and then went back into broadcasting in the early 1980’s becoming general manager of a chain of radio stations including WDSC in Dillon, South Carolina. Dave was active in All Saint’s Church serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and as Senior Warden.He participated in Cursillo and spread his love of Christ through the Karios Prison Ministry from 1985-2011. In Florence, Dave established a Boy Scout Troop and was active in numerous civic organizations including the Lions Club; the Crippled Children Society; the Florence Senior Citizens Association; and The Shepherd’s Center.He was instrumental in organizing the Breakfast Club with the Florence Chamber of Commerce; served as the first Vice-chairman of the Florence County Speech and Hearing Clinic; and was a member and President of the Golden K Kiwanis Foundation. Dave continued service to his country by serving in the South Carolina State Guard for 17 years and retiring as a Major. In retirement, he helped refurbish an LST similar to the one he served on which is now a floating museum in Evanston, Illinois. While serving as a committee member on the City of Florence Parks Commission, he was instrumental in establishing the Florence Veterans Park. Throughout his life Dave was always up for an adventure.He became an instrument rated pilot and loved to fly his piper “Juliet” among the clouds.Notable exploits included dropping a parachuted Santa Claus at Treasure City and Jumpers for Jesus at the Florence Baptist Temple. He also enjoyed scuba diving in the Bahamas, hunting, fishing, and puttering around in his shop and still made time to donate blood every 8 weeks for decades. Dave took building, wiring and stained glass classes in order to design and build Libby’s cabin in the woods. Other building projects included a large garage/shop.After successfully beating cancer in his 70’s, he didn’t slow down a bit and went on to renovate an eighty year old house. In retirement he began a film career appearing as an extra in several movies including Days of Thunder and Sleeping with the Enemy. He will be remembered for his devotion to God and country and his love for family. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, April 6, 2019 at All Saints Church, Florence, South Carolina, with a reception following in the Parish Hall.Burial to follow at 2:00 pm at Mt. Hope Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to All Saints Church, 1425 Cherokee Road, Florence, SC, 29501. (Please sign our guestbook online at www.stoudenmiredowling.com)