Clarence J. C.J. Phillips

Clarence J. "C.J." Phillips, age 82, of Oceanside, California, passed away from this world on February 22, 2006. He was born on January 28, 1924. C.J. lived life gusto and enthusiasm. He was a dreamer and a doer. In 1947, C.J. went to Nome, Alaska and his love of Nome and all of Alaska never died. He spent over 50 years in Alaska. C.J. was a proud member of Pioneer Igloo #1. He owned Nome Liquor Store and was the first person to continuously buy fish commercially on Norton Sound. C.J. had the first winter commercial crab operation in Nome. He was a recognized authority on Geothermal Energy and was convinced Norton Sound could derive its energy needs from the Geothermal Energy Pilgrim Hot Springs could produce. C.J. was also well known for his stories. His repertoire increased as he listened to the "gold rush" prospectors, built runways in villages, worked on "White Alice" communications sites and did soil survey work on the Parks Highway Project, etc. C.J. was a free spirit in life and now his spirit is free to travel even further. He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Rosemary; brother, sisters and in-laws: Herman and Betty Watson, Odas and Annette Watson, Annie Wallace, Margaret Phillips, Mary Norris and Judy Watson. He was preceded in death by his father, Jordon Phillips; mother, Bonnie Phillips Watson; sisters: Nell Pope and Catherine Blevins; brothers: Marshall Phillips, Ed Phillips and John Watson, all from Shady Valley, Tennessee and Watauga County, North Carolina. C.J. will join his much beloved Grandmother Main in Shady Valley, Tennessee. Funeral Services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2006 from the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Thomas Peake to officiate. Music will be under the direction of Mr. Doug Roark. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home, prior to Services on Monday. Interment will be in the Billy Hill Cemetery, Shady Valley, Tennessee. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.hux-lipford.com. Hux-Lipford Funeral Home of Mountain City, Tennessee is serving the Phillips Family.