Obituaries : Carlos Lee Phillis

Carlos L. Phillis

Carlos L. Phillis

VINTON: Carlos Lee Phillis, 92, of Burbank, CA and formerly of Vinton died of natural causes on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at ManorCare Nursing Home in Boulder, CO.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. 6thSt.in Vinton with Rev. Clark E. Frederick officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 6 PM on Friday.

Carlos was born July 3, 1918 to Fred and Edna (Moore) Phillis in Eden Township, Benton County, Iowa and graduated from Vinton High School. He attended one year at Iowa State University before enlisting in the Navy on Sept. 11, 1941. He saw duty on wooden Subchasers in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Panama, and finished the war at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. He was a dedicated and valued member of the Patrol Craft Sailors Association.

On August 23, 1942 he married Lucille Wieditz at Kahoka, MO. After WW II they settled in Hollywood CA, then in Burbank, CA. Carlos worked a number of firms in the aircraft industry and sold airport lighting equipment until last year. He loved to camp and travel and they visited all 50 states.

Carlos stayed in the Naval Reserves following WW II and served for 24 years retiring in 1966. After retirement, he followed his son into the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. He volunteered for the next 40 years becoming commanding officer of the prestigious Bryce Canyon Division, and Commanding Officer of the pioneering “All Girl” Betsy Ross Division for young women. He won numerous awards over the years for his service culminating in the highest Sea Cadet award, the Chairman’s Medal. He trained hundreds of young people for entry into the nation’s service.

The photographs are from High School graduation 1936, and 2006 when Carlos was honorary Grand Marshal of the San Fernando Valley Veterans parade.

Carlos is survived by his son Gary, and wife Dr. Patricia Bornmann of Boulder, CO; brother Ivan Phillis of Stevens Point, WI; brother-in-law Wayne Wieditz, and sisters-in-law , Ruth Wieditz, Francis Wieditz, and Lois Wieditz, all of Vinton.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lucille, and brother Charles Phillis.

Contributions can be made to the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and sent in care of Phillips Funeral Home, P.O. Box 307, Vinton, IA 52349.

Condolences may be left at http://www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com/