More detail on this person: Mr. James Lowell
Phifer, age 74 of Burns, Tennessee and formerly of
Clarksville, passed away on Monday, January 23,
2017 at the Tennessee State Veteran's Home in
Clarksville, TN.
James was born on November 29, 1942 to Ollie
Phifer, Major, US Army, Retired and Ruth Dance
Phifer in Minden, LA. He was a 1962 graduate of
Clarksville High School, lettering in football and
track. He received a track scholarship to
Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA.
He earned his B.A. there while also participating
in the ROTC program. He was a member of the
First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, TN.
James entered the Army in 1966 and served in the
Vietnam theatre for one year, and was promoted to
the rank of Captain during his four years of
service. It was during that time, that James'
life-long love affair with flying helicopters was
born. Hueys were his specialty and he excelled at
the skill. During his term of service he was
awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Service Star and
the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while
participating in aerial flight. After being
honorably discharged from active duty with the
regular Army, James joined the Tennessee National
Guard and retired after twenty-five years of
service as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was a
member of the American Legion and the VFW.
While serving in the National Guard, Mr. Phifer
also worked as an industrial engineer for several
corporations. In his spare time, he enjoyed fly
fishing, especially at Kentucky Lake.
Survivors include his children: Matthew L.
(Cynthia) Phifer and Jodi Phifer (Le) Hastings;
grandchildren: Reed Allen Phifer, Colt Lee Phifer,
MaeLynn Hastings and Andrew Matthew Hastings;
siblings: Harold Phifer and Linda Slobey; and
aunt: Ann Methaney. In addition to his parents he
was preceded in death by his brother: Greg
Phifer.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of James
Phifer will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017
at 5:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in
Clarksville, Tennessee.
Cremation Society of Tennessee is assisting the
family with the arrangements and online
condolences may be made to the family at
www.cremationsocietyoftn.com
This information was last updated 01/31/2017
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