Donald Lee Phillips, Sr. went to be with the Lord at home surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of October 15, 2022.

He was the firstborn of Hershel and Geneva Keaton Phillips.

He established his incredible work ethic as a child working for a daily reward of a moon pie and RC Cola from the local general store.

Donald was a 1968 graduate of Athens High School, Athens, WV, where he set many records running track and cross country. He would run to school, work, town, or anywhere else he needed to go. This experience gave him a scholarship to Concord College, Athens, WV, where he competed in a national competition. He met the love of his life, Nita shortly before college at the local state park. A few years later, he served as a tank commander in the US Army (1970-72) that included time at Fort Knox, KY, and Korea during the Vietnam conflict.

In following the footsteps of his dad, he was a heavy equipment operator traveling many miles to provide for his family. This led to the majority of his career in coal mining where he was known across southern WV as "Daffy" and/or "Onion Sack".

In the spare hours before dark, he enjoyed time in the woods cutting load after load of firewood for anyone who ask. Donald was a stranger to no one. He always had a story to tell and a helping hand to offer. He went into retirement finding new ways to support his community. You could always find him at a ballgame or sitting on the "liars' bench" coffee in hand. He discovered a true joy in time with his grand and great grandkids. He loved all his animals and had a faithful companion in his basset hound, Freckles.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Donald Lee Phillips, Jr. (Leezie).

Those left to celebrate his life and continue his legacy are his faithful wife, Nita Farley Phillips; children, Becky (John) Wrenn of Sherrills Ford, NC, Amanda "Randi" Phillips of Lerona, WV, and Pooh (Liz) Phillips of Pipestem, WV; grandchildren, Kari, Ashley, Sean, Brianna (Tyler), Logan, Cheyenne, and William; great grandchildren, Kenzie, Payton, Rose, Gage, Walker, and Gracie; siblings, Larry (Debbie) Phillips of Lerona, Sheila Edwards of Lerona, Sherry (Frank) Winn of Greensboro, NC, and Drema (Tony) Lane of Lerona, WV, and many loving and devoted nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life and legacy will be held 2:00 P.M., Thursday, October 20,2022 with a time of sharing & gathering beginning at 12 noon at Memorial Funeral Directory, Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Dallas Peyton Jr. officiating.

Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com.

The Phillips family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.