Randy Phillips

Randy Phillips, 68, of East Gull Lake, died Monday, August 10, 2015 at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. A Celebration of Randy's Life will be held at 4:00 PM, Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa with Pastor Andy Smith officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to services and to stay for fellowship and luncheon following. For those who are not able to attend the celebration, the service will be live streamed by Lutheran Church of the Cross.

Randy was born February 20, 1947, in International Falls, MN, the son of Corwin and Virginia (Horgen) Phillips. Growing up he was the middle child of a family of boys. Along with his older brother Larry and younger brother Rick, they were constantly pestering and testing their parents. While attending Anoka High School Randy proved himself to be an amazing athlete. The year he graduated, 1965, the Anoka Tornadoes men's gymnastics team took 3rd at state where Randy was named an all-around gymnast and earned himself a first place title on the still rings. After high school graduation Randy attended the University of Minnesota. Where he not only worked full time at The FBI, but attended classes as well. For Randy, 1971 turned out to be his lucky year; he met his bride Nancy Mozey in Anoka. In 1975 they moved to Longville MN where they purchased a well drilling business and Laundromat. They expanded the Laundromat to offer a full laundry service with rental linens to local resorts, restaurants and bars to include pick up and deliver. They also started the Daily Planet game room and hosted many contests for the gamers on the Miss Pac-Man machine. After selling their businesses they relocated to Nisswa MN where Randy started working for Century 21 real estate. Once he started in sales there was no turning back! The couple became parents in the spring of 1986. They welcomed their May Day basket all the way from Korea, a baby girl. In June of 1987 he started People's Security where he was the sales manager until he retired in June of 2013. Anyone who has ever met him knows, up until his final days, he was always a salesman at heart.

Randy was the ultimate entertainer and social butterfly - always enjoying the time he spent with family and friends. You could never go anywhere with him, even in the middle of nowhere, where he didn't run into someone who he knew. Cooking was a passion he loved to share with everyone, and was known for his prime rib, lobster and fish. You always knew when you stopped by to visit, Randy would always want to make sure you had a drink in hand and left with a full stomach. Other than cooking, Randy loved to spend time outdoors. Whether it was golfing, fishing or hunting, he didn't care. You could always find him wanting to bet a buck to see who would get closer to the pin or who saw the first deer. It was never dull when he was around. Travel was also something he enjoyed. Randy traveled with Nancy so he could support her quest to run the 50 states. You better believe he will be there cheering her on for the last 10 states. Sundays were always spent cheering on his favorite sports team, the Minnesota Vikings. Randy may have had a few negative things to say, but regardless, he would always wind up sporting his Vikings hat and sweatshirt. He was a good friend to many and an amazing husband and father to the two special ladies in his life, his smile and laugh will never be forgotten.

Randy also believed in supporting his community. He was an active member of Sertoma and is even a past President. He received numerous awards including Sertoman of the year and Distinguished Honor Club status, Randy was also a charter member of the Little Moran Sertoma Club, Camp Confidence Sertoma, and MMBA. There were never enough opportunities to meet new people and to network. Once you met him you never forgot him. Randy also did his part in contributing to local charities by playing a few pull tabs every once in a while. There always had to be a "one last out the door buy".

He will be missed by so many. Randy is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy; daughter, Nikki (Justin) Biebighauser, of Baxter; aunts, Mary Phillips, of Minneapolis and Kay Horgen, of International Falls; brother-in-law, Larry Mozey, of Starbuck; sister-in-law, Sandy Phillips, of Coon Rapids; his two girls Zoe and Gigi, many nieces, nephews and cousins; along with numerous friends from many walks of life.