John Williams Phillips Jr., aka "Action", as he was known by many, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026 at the age of 68 from an unknown neurological cause. Debbie, his wife, was by his side as he passed.

John was born on August 12, 1957 in Canandaigua, New York to his parents Mary Elaine Schwartz and John William Phillips, Sr. He moved to Albuquerque around age 10 and spent most of his young life there. Albuquerque is where he met Debbie, and after they married, they moved to Durango in 1980. He built his home in the Rafter J neighborhood and began his business, Phillips Electric, in 1984. He leaves a legacy of 45 years in the Durango area.

John is survived by his spouse, the absolute love of his life, Deborah Sue Phillips. They would have had their 50th wedding anniversary on September 18th of this year. They met in 1973, were high school sweethearts, and married in 1976.

He is also survived by his beloved children: Amanda Fuqua (Shane), Ashley Jameson, Jeremiah Phillips (Kariah), and Amber Jameson (Aaron). Additionally, he is survived by his 13 beautiful grandchildren that he adored and all adored him: Hayle, Paige, Savannah, Katie, Natalie, Ryley, Scarlett, Bailey, Libby, Daisy, Kaysey, John, and Jeb.

He is also survived by his two sisters Elaine Knecht and Lorraine Gastaldi Hill (Scott) and their children and his very close sisters-in-law Penny Whisler (Doug) and Kate Lancaster (Chuck) and their children.

In addition to his family, John leaves behind countless friends that he treated like extended family. After 45 years in Durango, he truly rose to small-town celebrity status with someone to talk to wherever he went. He had a unique capability of making everyone he knew feel close to him. He remembered names, stories and birthdays. If you got on his birthday call list, he called you every year without fail. You never forgot his hugs or handshakes because he would pop every bone in your body or squeeze your hand like it might fall off. As someone said, he had those laser blue eyes that made you wonder if he was serious or not, but after the laser stare, there was always the smile to follow it up. He made people feel incredibly important and valuable and no need was too much for him to attend to. He would always be the guy that showed up to help his vast community, whether it was faith-related, electricity-related, or motorcycle-related. It didn't matter the reason, he showed up.

He had a saying for every situation and for those he knew, they will have his one-liners forever stamped in their minds. "When you're dumb, you gotta be tough" or " Don't be a sissy" or "Let's go, we're burning daylight" or "You can't fix stupid" or "The loams'a brewin'" or "I was born ready". These were his mantras. These were his ways of saying "life is okay no matter what" with an edge of humor to add to any situation, even the tough ones.

His nickname, Action, truly described his life as he pursued after every thrill on his dirtbike or mountain bike. He was called "One bad man on two wheels!" by his friends. No one could keep up with him and seemed the older he got, the faster he got. Everyone who ever rode a dirtbike or a mountain bike with him has some crazy, but beloved stories. He would claim that he rode his mountain bike only to "stand up longer" on his dirtbike, but the truth was he lived for the outdoors, was mesmerized by the "critters" he saw in the wild, and loved being in God's country as much as he could.

He was a man of faith with a strong commitment to God and his community. He believed in being a follower of his Savior Jesus Christ and doing good unto others. There was no question in his mind that serving others was the point of life. He would say that he tried to prove his faith wrong many times, but couldn't do it. So, as he would say, he had to go to church on Sunday and leave the dirtbike for another day. He was always sharing his love of his faith even with ZZ Top playing in the background. He served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout his life, becoming a cornerstone to his faith community. He was particularly impactful during his years as a bishop as he walked intimately with many through their very personal challenges.

As a good friend shared to one of John's kids recently, "Your dad uplifted every situation he was a part of. [He] was one of the most socially talented people I've ever met. I can't think of anyone I've ever known who has had a more positive impact on all groups of the hundreds of people who loved him. It was my good fortune, and luck, to have been a friend of your dad. One of, if not the best, men I've ever known."

It was everyone's good fortune to have known him. He is gone way too soon for those of us he leaves behind. Even so, his memory will live on in Durango and with everyone he has ever touched with his tireless energy and love. And to all of us, we know his final farewell would be "Keep Smiling."

A memorial service will be held

May 2, 2026 at 2pm

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints building

2 Hilltop Circle

Durango, CO 81301

All are welcome

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