Thomas "Tom" L. Phillips, Jr., 82, of Gettysburg entered into God's Eternal Care on Friday September 14, 2007 at the Gettysburg Hospital. He was the loving husband of LaNita A. "Andee" (Smith) Phillips, Gettysburg and they would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on September 19th.

Tom was born September 22, 1924 in Washington, D.C. the son of the late Thomas L. Phillips, Sr. and Florence (Delabar) Phillips.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Gettysburg where he served as an usher for over 20 years and as a Certified Lay Pastor for 23 years. In 2005, Tom and his wife began attending Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church, Gettysburg and later joined in May 2006. He attended George Washington University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

Tom began his radio career in Washington, D.C. in 1947 and became known as an authority on big bands and jazz through his program, The Sounds of Jazz heard on WGET and WGTY and later on WTHU, Frederick County. He also wrote a column, "Keystone Komments" for JAZZNEWS Magazine from 1984 until 2002 and wrote liner notes for several CD's of jazz performers. Tom was a drummer for several bands including Bill Dayton Orchestra & Combo, Cathy Chemi & Friends and his own group "The Partners in Time". He played throughout D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania retiring in mid 1994.

Since 1955, he was active in real estate and was named Realtor Associate of the Year in 1977 by the Montgomery County (MD) Board of Realtors where he was also a Director and President of the Board's Federal Credit Union. After moving to Gettysburg in 1978, Tom was named Realtor Associate of the Year in 1981 by the Hanover-Adams Board of Realtors where he also served as Treasurer and was Chair of several committees.

Tom was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for 23 years and was a safe Boating Instructor for 18 years, a Boating Examiner for 10 years and a past Flotilla Commander of the Kensington, MD unit prior to moving to Gettysburg. A cancer survivor, Tom served two terms on the Adams County Unit of the American Cancer Society. He also served several terms on the Adams County Unit of the American Heart Association where he was co-chairman of the Public Relations Committee.

In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by his son; Thomas R. Phillips and his wife Lisa, Doylestown, PA, his daughter; JoAnn Reitz and her husband James, Mechanicsburg and his grandchildren; Phillip, Jenna, Lauren, Rachel, Kate and Sarah.

The Funeral will be Tuesday September 18, 2007 at 11AM at Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church 1865 Knoxlyn Rd. Gettysburg with Rev. Dale E. Williams officiating. There will be a viewing on Monday September 17, 2007 from 7 until 9 PM at the Peters Funeral Home 321 Carlisle St. Gettysburg and on Tuesday from 10 AM until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom's memory may be made to the American Heart Association P.O. Box 3293 Gettysburg, PA 17325.