Carl was born July 3, 1927 in Sheridan, WY to Ruth (Hammontree) and Herb “Case” Phillips. He was the oldest of 3 children. As a child, his family lived in the Sayle area in Powder River County. He stayed with his Grandmother in Sheridan to start grade school until his Grandfather passed away. The following year he attended St. Labre in Ashland, he also had some cousins attend there at the same time. He went to school on Indian Creek and graduated from 8th grade on Elk Creek.
He stayed with his Grandmother, in Sheridan, WY until he graduated in 1945 from high school. He delivered newspapers to earn spending money. Carl worked at his uncle, Joe Burris’s, filling station for a short time, for ranches and the forest service.
In the summer of 1949 he bought a Piper Cub J3 airplane and later traded it to Bob McCurdy in 1952 for some machinery.
Carl liked to tell stories about how he fell in love with Pat Norwood when he saw her chopping wood. They married December 8, 1951 in Nebraska. They ran the ranch on Elk Creek for his folks until they bought it in 1961. He broke his leg when a horse fell on him in 1954 and couldn’t put up ice that winter, so he put up snow! In March of 1955, they had a daughter, Gaylene.
Carl was the Bottles School clerk for several years, served on the Fair Board for 5 years, and was a member of Eastern Star and Mason’s. At times Carl cooked for the Forest Service fire crews and was a fire spotter.
He cut and sawed enough of his own lumber to build his own 70 x 120 machine shed (tall enough to accommodate all the machinery they had), chicken house, corrals and cattle sheds.
He lived on Elk Creek since 1940 and Pat since 1951 and made the difficult decision to sell it in 2005 and move to Home Creek.
He enjoyed photography, traveling, fishing, camping, antiques, animals, cards and dancing. It has been said that he was a sweet humble man who could float across the dance floor in his boots, like gravity had no hold on him. Sometimes they would come home from dances and divide the trip between 4 wheel drive and a snow machine. Carl and Pat took many trips, including Niagara Falls (with friends), FL, and CA and trips to see fall colors. Gaylene and Carl took many trips, especially enjoying fall colors, a trip to AZ as Carl wanted to see cactus bloom and Carl was Gaylene’s companion on many of her art shows and Quick Draws. Tim and Carl ranched together, hunted together, fished together and shared many enjoyable adventures.
ABOVE ALL- Carl enjoyed his family, his wife, daughter and son in law, he was so proud and adored all his grandchildren, they always brought a smile. They spent wonderful times in the mountains fishing, hiking, exploring, playing cards and enjoying life.
Blaine and Papa especially enjoyed their shared interest in antiques, and walking in the hills hunting for fossils and arrowheads.
Stacey and Papa loved finding rocks, picking flowers, camping and fishing. Papa would eat all of the fish that Stacey caught.
Lanissa loved playing cards, dancing and fishing with Papa. When she was little she always fished on his license and Papa threatened that she would have to get her own license beings since she caught more than her share of his limit, which was often!
Carl used to bring different colored dirt to the house for him and Gaylene to make mud pies when she was little.
Making homemade ice cream was special as a child. It has been a tradition passed on to his wife, daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Licking the dasher has been a special tradition with Carl.
The Grandchildren pretty much got to do whatever they wanted. Carl was good at planning mischievous pranks, but he also fell for April Fool’s jokes and pay backs, not just from family, but even from friends and neighbors. Many people have received anonymous personal letters about something they had done.
Carl is proceeded in Death by his parents, Ruth and Case Phillips, his brother Alvin and sister Audrey. He will be missed by his family; his wife Patricia Phillips, daughter Gaylene Fortner and Tim Fortner, grandchildren; Blaine Fortner & children Jade, Kyra, & Kanyon (Tammy, Ben, Keoni), Stacey Fortner, wife Lacey & sons Lucas & Dillon, and Lanissa Fortner, husband Cody Delaware & children Tavian and Tierney.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Interment will follow at the Fortner Ranch. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandson.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday September 1, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT
Interment
Following Luncheon
Saturday September 1, 2018
Phillips/Fortner Ranch
Sonnette, MT
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday September 1, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT
Interment
Following Luncheon
Saturday September 1, 2018
Phillips/Fortner Ranch
Sonnette, MT
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Kathy Bowers says
So very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person Carl was! May God bless Pat, Gaylene, and the rest of the family in this time of sorrow. Remember the good times and the wonderful trips that you shared together.
Brenda Hopkins, Bill Gorder says
Pat and family, We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts.
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Phillips family, your folks were a pleasure to watch dancing together.
Connie (Earley) Watts says
Oh, Gaylene – so very sorry about the loss of your dad. He was always one of my very favorite people. Prayers for you, your mom and all your family!
Wendy Sterling Leidholt says
Carl was an awesome guy. Always met you with a smile. And always had a story. He will be deeply missed.
Mitch and Theresa Burley says
Pat and family so sorry for your loss. Carl was a delightful soul and I have so many memories of our family going to the Big Horns with you and Carl. Carls great sense of humor and smile will be what I remember most. Bless you all.
Brad and Carmen Knutson says
Dearest Pat and Family, Oh my, another of our treasures lost. We are so very sorry for your loss of Carl. It was an honor to know him , I loved his smile!! Thoughts and prayers for all of you as you say good bye to this remarkable man. Hugs.
Gunther says
thinking of you Pat and your family, Carl was a wonderful man , with that twinkle in his eye, prayers to all of your family.
Vonnie Shannon says
Pat, Sending my sympathy to you and your family.
Vonnie Shannon
Pam & David Nisley says
Praying for comfort for all of you! We did not know him like all of you…..but what an amazing man!!! And what a wonderful family he and pat have!!! We care!!
Laura Lee and Vic Ullrich says
Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to all of the family. He used to come to the Copper Moon with his latest antique find and we played “Guess what this is?” I in turn searched for items that would stump him. What fun we had! The twinkle in his mischievous eyes and his compassionate nature touched my heart forever. His family (the Fortners) are examples of his legacy of character, friendliness and integrity with just a touch of a mischievous nature as well. His passing leaves a huge hole in this community. Gone but never forgotten!
Jerry and Joyce Strobel says
I heard Jerry chuckle this morning as he sat in the computer room. I had already told him how I enjoyed the picture of Carl and the memories it brought back. Yes, it was Carl’s smile with his neat hat on that was bringing Jerry chuckles this morning. He, too, enjoyed and we loved it together. Who could be more delightful to have a visit with than Carl and Pat Phillips? The other day as we were driving down the highway
we were visiting about all the treasures Carl collected! Precious memories— Pat, Gaylene and Tim and family. We keep you all in our prayers, Jerry and Joyce Strobel
Pam Fletcher says
Francis and I are so sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. He was a great guy.
Thelma and Francis Taylor
Aletta, Randy, Tyrel & Tell Shannon says
Pat, Gaylene, Tim and families~
Carl has left many, with great memories! His mischievous smile and kind heart are just a few. Then there’s his love for chickens, eggs and any bird. His collection of toasters and antiques and how he loved to show them. He was a great guy and will be missed by many but remembered forever! You’re all in our thoughts and prayers! Our Sincere Sympathy~
Jane & Les Thompson says
Pat, Gaylene ,Tim and family- Sending thoughts of sympathy and love as you go through this difficult time.
Ted and Cathy Elgon says
Pat, Gaylene & TIm and all the family-We were so sorry to hear about Carl. We want you to know we will are thinking of you all. Glad we had that visit not too long ago at the Nursing Home. He smiled a lot that day. Our prayers are with you.
HollyAnn (Finlayson) Hutchinson says
Very sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. He was a nearly lifelong friend of my mother’s, and Carl and Pat were such wonderful neighbors to my Kapcsak grandparents. One thing I remember is the tremendous effort he put forth in the 1960’s, trying to bring a TV signal in for people in that neighborhood. His equipment ,sitting out there in the tall grass, showed real ingenuity. Got my grandpa and Ralph Carlat hooked on soap operas!
Warmest regards to your family, and good memories,