Rickey L. Phillips

Rickey Lee Phillips of Kalamazoo passed away peacefully at home November 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rickey had a heart of gold and an even bigger soul. He was known to many by many names. Pa, Big Rick, Daddio, Big Daddy, Art Deco, Rickey Lee, and Dad.

Rickey was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 26, 1955, to Fran and Frank Phillips. Growing up he was an avid hunter and fisherman, which grew into a lifelong love of the outdoors. He played little league baseball and enjoyed running the Eastside looking for trouble with his buddies. He attended Kalamazoo Central, graduating in 1973.

Known for his impressive, and sometimes intense, work ethic Rickey always put his all into every job he took on. From owning the Used Furniture Store in downtown Kalamazoo, to owning and operating Rick Phillips Concrete and Snow Plowing (a business his family will continue) for over 30 years. Not only a hard worker but a generous spirit, always willing to help in any way he could. He often volunteered his time and talents. He loved to cook, and catered countless weddings, graduation parties, and birthdays over the years. He participated in local Gumbo and Chili cookoffs, making him an “Award Winning Chef”. Known for his big cooker (that he built himself), he was always ready to roast a pig for an event. He was an artist. Crafting beautiful canes, fishing poles, and knives. He was also an artist with stone and concrete.

A Harley lover, Rickey went on many adventures with his biker brothers all over the map. Closer to home he rode and helped support the Great Lakes Burn Camp Ride. Everything Rickey did was larger than life. He cooked big, he built big, he played big, he LOVED big. He was always the life of the party and had hundreds, if not thousands, of best buddies. He never met anyone that he did not consider a friend. He loved playing cards on Saturdays at the Barn, going to breakfast and lunch with friends, listening to music, and having a drink with the people he loved. It is impossible to fit Rickey’s enormous presence and personality into such a small space. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he has touched. May his memory inspire us to continue his legacy of generosity, heart, and the pursuit of happiness in the things we love to do.

Rickey is survived by his wife Debbie (Cole) Phillips, his children Ricky (Amanda) Phillips, Monica (Brice) Herron, Sonya (Chris) Longjohn, Sadie (Neill) Malmgren, his Best Friend, business partner, and grandson Myzeha Blakley, and his beloved niece Debbie (Bruce) Boger.

Pa absolutely loved his grandchildren. He liked to spoil them but loved to put them to work! Nothing made Pa’s day more than “getting knuckies” from Ricky, Anakin, Penelope, Nelson, Mila, Christopher (Jr.), Arya, Kezia, and Asa, two Great grandchildren Christopher and Alyza, and his honorary grandson Jesse Newbury.