Mr. Van I. Phillips

Van I. Phillips, sales manager for Physimetrics, Inc., a Roswell testing and image processing firm, died of lung cancer June 21 at Heritage Hospice. He was 70. Mr. Phillips had a varied life as a soldier, hotel manager, and executive with a company that specialized in hardware and software for machine vision and image processing. He worked with industrial, military, aerospace, medical and research institutions helping them solve complex imaging systems. However, he was best known as a family man whose tender care of a disabled son was an admired example of devotion among other families within the community of disabled children and adults. Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife, Carol (née Queen) and his younger son, Grant. His older son, Blake, predeceased him 14 months ago. Other survivors include, Dick and Jayne Phillips of Atlanta; B.J. Phillips and Kathleen Howarth of San Diego; Terry and Nancy Queen of Monroe, GA, Jerry Queen of Smyrna, GA; Ann and Tom Holder of Salisbury, MD; and Steve Queen of Kennesaw, GA; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Phillips was born in Griffin, GA, on January 5, 1946, the son of R. J. Phillips and Billie Chisenhall Phillips. He attended the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Army ROTC. Mr. Phillips was commissioned as a second lieutenant immediately after his graduation from Georgia with a BS in Business and Systems Analysis in 1969. After advanced training as an infantry officer at Fort Benning, GA, he served at Fort Lewis, WA, and in Vietnam. In 1976, he began a 10-year career in the hotel industry with MMI of Jackson, MS. He managed motels in Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana before moving back to Georgia in 1986. He continued to work in the industry at various Atlanta hotels. In 1996, his growing interest in emerging technology led him to change careers. He began working at Physimetrics, Inc. in Roswell, where he remained until his death. Mr. Phillips' funeral will be private. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on July 9, 2016 at 2PM. Before his death, Mr. Phillips asked that his friends and family that in lieu of flowers, continue his advocacy and support of adult services through donations to Enable of Georgia (http:www.enablega.org).

Mr. Van I. Phillips

January 5, 1946 - June 21, 2016