American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

I was sent the following from Tom Phillips's family today:

Thomas David Phillips, 66, of Russell, Kansas, was called Home to be with our Lord on Friday,
March 24, 2023. By the grace of God, Tom lived 58 years with a pacemaker (nearly the only person
on this earth who can say that). He received his first pacemaker in 1966 when he was just 8 years
old. He grew up in in Royal Oak, Michigan and then moved around a bit as an adult – living in
Richmond, Virginia; Rochester, Minnesota; and finally settling in Russell, Kansas 14 years ago.

Thomas was a very talented carpenter, creating beautiful furniture and cabinetry all of his life. He
was a very hard worker, even with his life-long heart condition. His courage was incomparable. He
loved history, was an avid reader, and was recently awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Medal” in the
American Civil War Game Club. Of the 1,250 Confederate members of The Club, only four men
have reached this mark. Thomas earned this medal through many years of hard work and
commitment to The Club - a remarkable achievement. But of course, playing Civil War games was
by far his favorite hobby!

Thomas was the definition of an honorable man. He believed in feeding the magic because he
believed in love. He lived life with a gentle spirit and a very loving heart. He met the love of his
life, Laura Anne Hess of Russell, Kansas when he was 52. He was deeply in love with her, and she
was deeply in love with him. They were best friends and partners in all the ups & downs of life.
Most recently Thomas worked for PureField Ingredients (formerly White Energy) in Russell,
Kansas. He was a reliable, dependable, extraordinary employee – working whenever they needed
him, literally until the day he died. He had been looking forward to retiring in July.

Thomas is survived by his beloved partner, Laura Anne Hess of Russell, Kansas; his father, Robert
Phillips of Ypsilanti, Michigan; sister April Shoemaker of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister Cheryl
Levitt of Saginaw, Michigan; sister Denise (& Craig) Frey of Rochester, Minnesota; and sister Sue
(& Art) Dorsey of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Glenna
(Abernethy) Phillips of Royal Oak, Michigan (also Rochester, Minnesota and Mount Vernon, Ohio)
and brother, James Phillips of Clarkston, Michigan.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

_________________
Gen. Blake Strickler
Confederate General-in-Chief
El Presidente 2010 - 2012

General Strickler <Salute>,

Sir,

It was extremely kind of Tom's family to provide his obituary to the membership of the ACWGC. It was a moving experience to read of his many achievements in life and we are grateful to Tom's family for this. On behalf of the Army of Tennessee of the ACWGC, of which Tom was a long serving and much valued member, I would request you convey the deepest sympathy of every member of this, his army, to his family and our thanks for their kindness in sharing his obituary with us.

_________________
Karl McEntegart
Brigadier General
Officer Commanding
Army of Tennessee





Make my enemy brave and strong, so that if defeated, I will not be ashamed.

I echo Colonel McEntegart's wise and compassionate remarks.

_________________
Brigadier General TW Marshall

ACWGC President 2022 - 2024

Marshall's Brigade 'The St Andrews Greys', 2nd (Gator Alley) Division, Stewart's Corps, Army of Tennessee