Dr. Mitchel “Mike” Phillips DO, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nev. He was so very grateful to Dr. Sunil Patel and staff at UMC for his kidney transplant, which provided so much happiness and hope for several months, but other health issues combined for an unfortunate loss of life.
A celebration of life was held on June 16 at his home in Las Vegas. Donations in his name would be welcome at Tunnel to Towers, Wounded Warrior Project or The American Legion.
Mike was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Davenport on Sept. 16, 1947, as the son of Dalton “Johnny” and Jean Anne Phillips. In 1950, he was awarded $500 in the Community Baby Election in the Muscatine Journal. He was forever humbled by the award saying, “all of the babies are beautiful.” Active in sports, track, basketball, and a member of the West Liberty football team when they won the 1964 Eastern Iowa High School Championship.
Growing up on a farm north of Atalissa, he was active in Goshen Gladiators 4-H club, where he showed Black Angus cattle and received numerous awards around the state. Black and red were the family show colors, a color combo always in his heart. There were hours of laughter when the red spray paint came out, for those in the know realized something would soon turn red.
Mike was a West Liberty graduate in the Class of 1965. After high school, he joined the Army Reserves Company E Fifth Battalion. He graduated from Iowa State University with an undergrad in animal science and masters in biochemistry, Class of 1973.
He then attended Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 1976 and became better known as Dr. Mitchel Phillips. His medical residency was in Dayton, Ohio, after which he entered the Air Force. He served as a hospital doctor at Incirlik AFB, Ankara, Turkey and later Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, where, as a Captain, he was discharged after four years to start his private practice.
For Dr. P, the love of his life was the Phillips Clinic and his staff that made his dream come true. It became possible because of his beloved staff: office manager of nearly 40 years, Gina Onofre of Las Vegas, Michalle Vargo of Anchorage, Ala., Doug Turner of Caliente, Nev., and Julie Gidvani, a fellow Iowan, of Las Vegas. All of which were and are, “The Original” backbone of the practice.
On Aug. 4, 1989, Mitch married Kimberly Davenport in Lake Tahoe, Nev. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. Although the marriage came to an end, they were able to continue a deep and loving respect for each other until the end.
Known as Uncle Mitch, Dr. Mitch, Dr. P, Mitch, or Mike – he was simply one of those people that really liked to listen and have a deep conversation. He enjoyed taking time to get to know family, friends, his patients, and people in general. He was known to always have a side project, a tinkering job, a “let’s fix it” attitude and everybody who knows him, usually has a story about spending time with him conversing and working together on something. As a result, both people became better people because of the experience. Mitch loved that. Mitch had a green thumb. He was always growing something from seemingly nothing. Seeds from last night’s salad were propagating everywhere and the jungle could be unwieldy at times. Fortunately, his fascination for cacti came much later (insert eye roll here).
Mitch was the conservative man a member of the Sons of American Legion in West Liberty, and Las Vegas, the Sons of Norway in Las Vegas, the Masonic Lodge #24, the Republican Party, and strong supporter of Donald Trump.
He leaves behind his brother Douglas Phillips West Liberty; and sister Cindy Phillips Scottsdale, Ariz.; aunt Donna (Phillips) Jehle and cousins Sue (Jehle) Alpen of Eldridge, Steve Jehle of Cedar Falls, Scott Jehle of Durant; uncle Raymond Sterner and cousins Vicki (Sterner) Elvert of Eldridge, Deb (Sterner) Merton of Bettendorf; cousins Barbara Rock of Atalissa, Carolyn “Teenie” White of Seattle, Wash., and Jim McMichael, Kevin McMichael of Tampa, Fla. He also leaves behind a very close Las Vegas family: Kim Davenport-Phillips, Leroy Wright and Janet Wright. Nephews and nieces: Casey Anderson, Anthony MacKenzie, Seairra Fleischer, Mandi Davenport, Misti Nation, Daniel Davenport. Terri Davenport-King and son Matthew King of Beaver, Utah.
He was preceded in death by his father Dalton “Johnny” Phillips and his mother Jean Anne (Lindle) Phillips. Grandparents: Carl and Elsie (Gatzke) Phillips of Atalissa, and Earl and Gladys (Mosher) Lindle of West Liberty. Relatives: aunt Audrey (Phillips) McMichael of Tampa; aunt Ruth (Phillips) Sterner of Davenport; uncle Delbert Phillips of Cass Lake, Minn. Cousins: Terry White of Ft Meyers, Fla., Delores “Corky” White and Rhonda McMichael of Tampa, and Rick White of Muscatine. He was also preceded in death by his life partner, Jeannie Sugarman of Las Vegas.
To: Dr. Phillips, As you pass through this life, People come, and they go. But when life beats you down you can’t help but know, that God sends you someone to carry you along. Until that time comes you can do it alone. In the form of a doctor – it was for me, in addition to that – what friend he would be! He understands everything and he’s always there. There’s never been a time when I thought he didn’t care! One thing I think of so many times Does he know the impact, really, that he has on my life? Dr. Phillips has been there through the worst of times. Overworked and tired – he always takes time to listen to me – no matter what. I never feel foolish if my complaints aren’t much. So very lucky, are people like me, that when life seems too much to bear, God says: “Go ‘round the corner You’ll find Dr. P waiting there!” Barbara, Christmas 1991
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