Phillip Church passed away peacefully at his home in Rimrock, Arizona, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the age of 65, following a nearly six-year battle with prostate cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones and his faithful companion, Karma.
Phillip was born June 18, 1961, in Colusa, California, the first of four children born to James Church and Ardell Rollins. He was noted as the first boy born on Father’s Day that year in Colusa County.
He is survived by his faithful companion, Karma; his sons, Dylon, Tayler and Cooper; his daughters, AmberRae and Alex; and his grandchildren, Trent and Ally. He is also survived by his mother, Ardell; his aunts, Ardis Beddow and Bonnie Warren; his sisters, Melissa (Bruce) Wilkerson, Karen (Kirk) Pendleton and Rebecca Stickland; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Chester James Church Jr.; granddaughter Lea; brother-in-law John Stickland; uncles Michael Beddow, Dewey Warren, and Dewey Hill; and aunt Mary Hill.
Phillip was known for his gentle humor and enjoyed woodworking, riding his Harley-Davidson, fishing and hunting.
He later returned to Arizona to be near his mother, aunts and cousin Troy Beddow, whom he considered the brother he never had. He also shared a close bond with Troy’s wife, Carolyn, often introducing her to his doctors and nurses as his “wife without benefits,” as well as affectionately referring to her as “The Walden.”
Phillip will be laid to rest alongside his father in Colusa, California, on May 17 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cancer research or the Maxwell Fire Department.