LaMar Vincent Phillips

LaMar V. Phillips, 92, went to be with our Lord on September 16, 2025, at NC Memorial Hospital after complications from a broken hip. Born on July 23, 1933, in Warsaw, New York, LaMar was the only son of Gordon and Doris Phillips of Varysburg, NY. From an early age, he was known for his quiet strength, his sense of duty, and his deep love of family.

LaMar loved the Lord and became a committed Christian as a teenager, a faith that guided his every decision and relationship. His belief in God shaped the man he became, one of integrity, humility, and compassion.This was evident in his devotion to family, his service to his country, and the care he showed to all who knew him. On September 4, 1954, LaMar married his high school sweetheart, June Rose Cramer, beginning a loving union that spanned more than 71 years. Their love was steadfast and tender, a bond that grew stronger through the challenges of life. In recent years, as June faced the difficult decline of advanced Parkinson’s, LaMar remained faithfully by her side. Most days, the two could be found holding hands even when hospital beds and siderails stood between them. He worried about her more than himself, often answering the question of what he’d like to eat with, “What would Mom like?” His devotion to June was a quiet testament to a lifetime of love, patience, and faith. After graduating from Houghton College in New York, LaMar felt called to serve his country and joined the United States Marine Corps. He spent 20 years in the USMC as a pilot, achieving the rank of Major. During his first tour in Vietnam, LaMar’s F8 jet malfunctioned and he crash-landed, sustaining a broken spine and requiring an airlift back to New York. Only when asked would he share his wartime trials, but he often remarked quietly on the miracle that allowed him to survive, walk again, and continue his career. His service also included a second tour in 1969, and his career took him to many duty stations, often on unaccompanied assignments where his family missed him dearly. Still, LaMar stayed connected by sending letters and recorded tapes home, filling the distance with his voice, encouragement, and love. Through his service, LaMar lived out his faith in courage, discipline, and perseverance, always with humility.
Though his uniform bore medals and rank, LaMar’s truest legacy was at home. He and June were blessed with three children: Charmaine Phillips Berrian of Pittsboro, NC; Keith LaMar Phillips of Durham, NC; and Christiane Phillips Cheek of Goldston, NC.

Together, they enjoyed countless family gatherings filled with laughter, good food, and the kind of stories that get retold for generations. LaMar delighted in being a father and found even greater joy in his role as grandfather to Andrew, Becky, David, Olivia, Emily, and John. Each one of them brought him pride and happiness, and they knew him not just as “Grandpa,” but as their steady encourager, storyteller, and example of faith in action.

LaMar is survived by his beloved wife June, their children and grandchildren, and He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Doris Phillips, and his sister, Joan Phillips Wolfe.
A celebration of LaMar’s life will be held at Goldston Baptist Church on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 2:00PM. Burial will be at a later date. The family invites friends to share stories and memories that capture his laughter, his faith, his devotion to June, and his enduring pride as a Marine and most importantly, a man of God.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Phillips family.