Mr. Phil Etchison

Philip Bowie Etchison “Phil”, age 89, of Crabapple, GA passed away peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2016. Phil was born in Gaithersburg, MD to Frank Leslie Etchison and Kathryn Engle Etchison. He grew up in Charleston, SC and Rocky Mount, NC where he graduated high school. Drafted near the end of World War II, Phil served in the Army in 1945-46 including time in Hamburg, Germany. After army service, Phil graduated with a degree in forestry from North Carolina State. Phil was a devoted public servant for 41 years in the U.S Forest Service and received numerous awards and recognitions during his Forest Service career. He received accolades for conserving natural resources and consistently maintaining outstanding land purchases for the Forest Service Southern Region. He was the head of the region’s land ownership program with the addition of over one-half million acres of land acquired for the national forest system directly attributed to Phil’s leadership. Phil actively pursued acquisition of rights-of-way for the Appalachian Trail and received a significant award for completion of the Appalachian Trail, a benefit for all to enjoy. Phil was nationally singled out by his colleagues and fellow workers as the individual who contributed the most to the overall program of acquiring lands in the southern region. Phil had many passions: reading, gardening, the Atlanta Braves, his church, volunteering at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, and riding his 1952 Ford 8N tractor. There was discussion that the love of his life was his tractor. He was extremely active all his life. After his retirement, Phil volunteered for almost 25 years in outpatient surgery at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, with a multitude of duties including greeting patients, facilitating the smooth running of the operating room schedule, changing beds,transporting patients, and being the nurse support volunteer. ”Our Phil” was extremely close to the nurses and fellow volunteers. He was a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years where he taught Sunday School, served as an elder and worked on Mission trips to Haiti and Jamaica. He was a steadfast member of the Men’s Bible Study. Phil was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Tigner. Phil is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and daughters, Patricia Etchison of Canton, GA, Janet Evans of Belews Creek, NC, and Mary Ann (Faisal) Rashid of Oakton, VA and grandchildren, Julia and Samuel Rashid. He also is survived by his brother, Frank Leslie (Dorothy) Etchison of Charlottesville,VA, and his sister, Mary Ann Nichols of San Diego, CA along with many adoring nieces and nephews. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. We will never forget his dry wit, his humbleness, his kindness, his intelligence,his strength and his zest for life. Phil, you were so loved by so many, giving unselfishly every day. We thank you for being you. He was a kind and gentle soul. Visitation is Friday, September 2, 6:00-9:00 at Northside Chapel in Roswell. The funeral is Saturday, September 3, 10 am at Roswell Presbyterian Church in Roswell. Following a reception at the church, he will be buried at Green Lawn Cemetery, 10933 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell, GA 30075. Details at www.northsidechapel.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics, the Salvation Army, or Roswell Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Phil Etchison

March 9, 1927 - August 29, 2016