Welcome to the memorial page for
Mr. Benny Phillips
March 8, 1936 ~ January 24, 2012 (age 75) 75 Years OldShare Tribute:
John Bennett “Benny” Phillips, 75, a resident of High Point, passed away January 24, 2012 at High Point Regional Hospital.
Mr. Phillips was born March 8, 1936, in Yadkin County to Grady and Cleve Mock Phillips of Boonville. He graduated from Boonville High School and High Point College (now University) with a bachelor of science degree in business/accounting. He began his 48-year career in journalism at the Thomasville Times in 1959 and joined the High Point Enterprise staff in 1964 as a sportswriter. He was named associate sports editor in 1968 and sports editor in the mid-‘70s, a position he held until his retirement in January 2008.
Mr. Phillips was also a writer/columnist for Stock Car racing magazine for 25 years and wrote features for Time, Sports Illustrated, Southern Motorsports Journal and National Speed Sport News. For several years he worked as an on-camera reporter for “MotorWeek Illustrated” on national TV.
He won numerous state and national awards for sports writing, including the Buddy Shuman Memorial Award given by NASCAR for “outstanding contributions to the sport of auto racing,” the George Cunningham Trophy, Henry T. McLemore Motor Sports Press Award and Joe Littlejohn Press Award. He was named National Motor Sports Press Association Writer of the Year seven times.
Mr. Phillips wrote several books, including “Dale Earnhardt: Determined,” “Bristol Motor Speedway: 40 Years of Thunder,” and “NASCAR 1959-1971: Growth, Change and Challenge.”
In 2010 he was inducted into the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, farming and spending time with his family and his buddies at Oakview Country Club and the Thomasville Buck Club.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Judy Phillips; his stepson and daughter-in-law, Jim and Beverly Royals of Oak Ridge; his 10-year-old dachshunds, Max and Gus; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Mr. Phillips’ cousin, Steve Keil, officiating. Members of the Oakview Country Club will serve as honorary pallbearers. Burial will be in the Boonville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Boonville United Methodist Church, the Guilford County Animal Shelter or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Mr. Phillips was born March 8, 1936, in Yadkin County to Grady and Cleve Mock Phillips of Boonville. He graduated from Boonville High School and High Point College (now University) with a bachelor of science degree in business/accounting. He began his 48-year career in journalism at the Thomasville Times in 1959 and joined the High Point Enterprise staff in 1964 as a sportswriter. He was named associate sports editor in 1968 and sports editor in the mid-‘70s, a position he held until his retirement in January 2008.
Mr. Phillips was also a writer/columnist for Stock Car racing magazine for 25 years and wrote features for Time, Sports Illustrated, Southern Motorsports Journal and National Speed Sport News. For several years he worked as an on-camera reporter for “MotorWeek Illustrated” on national TV.
He won numerous state and national awards for sports writing, including the Buddy Shuman Memorial Award given by NASCAR for “outstanding contributions to the sport of auto racing,” the George Cunningham Trophy, Henry T. McLemore Motor Sports Press Award and Joe Littlejohn Press Award. He was named National Motor Sports Press Association Writer of the Year seven times.
Mr. Phillips wrote several books, including “Dale Earnhardt: Determined,” “Bristol Motor Speedway: 40 Years of Thunder,” and “NASCAR 1959-1971: Growth, Change and Challenge.”
In 2010 he was inducted into the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, farming and spending time with his family and his buddies at Oakview Country Club and the Thomasville Buck Club.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Judy Phillips; his stepson and daughter-in-law, Jim and Beverly Royals of Oak Ridge; his 10-year-old dachshunds, Max and Gus; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Mr. Phillips’ cousin, Steve Keil, officiating. Members of the Oakview Country Club will serve as honorary pallbearers. Burial will be in the Boonville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Boonville United Methodist Church, the Guilford County Animal Shelter or the charity of the donor’s choice.
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