Obituary of Jimmy Wayne Phifer

On Friday, May 24, 2019, Jimmy Wayne Phifer, husband, father, musician, poet, songwriter, sportsman, cattleman and amateur food critic, was taken away on silver wings, leaving us lonely.  He was 70 years old.  Jimmy was born on March 15, 1949 to Elmer and Beatrice Bailey Phifer in Deport.   He was quite fond of telling people to beware of the Ides of March.  Jimmy grew up and lived his life in Detroit, a stone’s throw away from his birthplace.  He had a paper route there as a child, the early sign of a work ethic that helped to keep his family always without want and took him on to a 44 year career in the warehouse of Campbell Soup where he retired as a supervisor in 2011.  During his early years he also discovered a love of music and began to play guitar with his father and big brother.  In 1969 he married Vicky Bridges, his complete opposite in so many ways one could find it hard to believe they were married for almost 50 years.   As a well- rounded pair, they raised 3 children together; Laura, Nicole and Will.  Jimmy preferred dogs and children to listen well and do what they are told but managed to raise a few of each that did neither.  He loved them anyway.  Jimmy would not tolerate a dog that did not load up, pour telephone etiquette, unsweetened tea, or a hat on your head at the supper table.  He was happiest when he was busy, which took him from hunting to raising champion coon hounds and game chickens to cultivating roses to performing in a band to raising cattle and beyond.  Jimmy was the son of a carpenter and enjoyed building things.  He built, among many other projects what his children are sure were the greatest playhouse and rabbit hutch in the universe.  Anyone who ever worked with him or for him, cooked for him, played music with him, or mowed his yard as a child knew he was a perfectionist and a tuff critic.  Luckily, this could and did bring out the best in those of us who wanted to make him proud and we will miss that smile, tucked under that expertly trimmed auburn mustache and that gleam in his eye that told us he was.   Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Elmer, his mother, Beatrice, his brother, Junior Phifer and special nephew and band mate, Jerry Phifer. 

Surviving are his wife, Vicky of Detroit; his 3 children, Laura Miller and husband, Mark of Bagwell, Nicole Musgrove and husband, Joey of Detroit and Will Phifer and wife Tonya of Broken Bow, Oklahoma.  In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren- his fishing buddies, debate and 42 partners, gate openers, cow checking and 4-wheeler riding sidekicks, Anthony Flournoy and wife, CJ of Oceanside, California, Hannah Berry Taylor and husband, Kevin of Ft. Worth, Jenna Berry, Steele Musgrove, Raelin Musgrove; great grandchildren, Ben Flournoy and Prudence Flournoy.  Jimmy is also survived by special bonus family members who came to him through the marriages of his children, Dylan Smith and family, Landri Smith, Luke Crawford and family, Jessica Miller and Morgen Miller.  He leaves behind as well his two big sisters, Wanda Jones and husband, Bobby of Detroit and Sarah Grizzle and husband, Joe of Manchester, a special cousin, Neita Denison and husband, Carroll of Detroit and his brother-in-law, Ronnie Bridges and wife, Kim of Bagwell.  A host of nephews and nieces will also be sad to see him go.  Not least of all, he leaves behind his 3 toed, coyote chasing, hog killing, steadfast and loyal canine companion, Shine, who will no doubt have no idea what she is supposed to be doing now that her master isn’t here to tell her.  We’ll all figure it out together, Shine.

Serving as Pallbearers are his nephews, Reggie and Kyle Jones, also serving are Ken Yost, Monty O’Neal, Steve Mackey and Leroy Tucker.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers is his nephew, Bobby Lee Phifer, also serving is Ronnie Joe Yarbrough, Richard Watson and Danny Miller.

Funeral services are set for 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Lindeman Chapel of Clarksville Funeral Home with Rev. Karl Bush and Wade White officiating.  Burial will follow in Blanton Creek Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends and hour before service time at Clarksville Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.clarksvillefuneralhome.com .