On October 16, 2025, Thomas "Tom" Quintin Phillips, age 81, passed away at Great Plains Health in North Platte, NE. Tom was born to Lewis and Venda (Russell) Phillips on October 6, 1944 in Kimball, NE, one of five children.
In his youth, Tom lived in the rural Colorado communities of Brush and Fort Lupton, attending grade school in Brush and high school in Fort Lupton. Upon receiving his high school diploma, Tom went on to attend college in Boulder, CO. His college career was cut short with an enlistment into the United States Army in May of 1965. During his enlistment, Tom was stationed in Hawaii throughout the Vietnam War as a trained military intelligence specialist. After his honorable discharge in 1971, Tom moved to Minneapolis, MN for a short time before moving to North Platte where he met and married Patricia Rosse. With their union, Thomas fulfilled the role of a father to Tim, Bob and, Scott, and the couple later had a daughter together whom they named Tiffany. Tom's lifelong career in lumber sales also began in North Platte, first at Hoppe Lumber. Tom and Patricia separated in 1994 and in 1999, he met Donna Bentley. They were wed in North Platte in 2003, Tom again stepping into the father role for another daughter, Melody. He spent some time working at North Platte Lumber before becoming employed at AJ Sheet Metal, where he retired from in 2012.
Tom was a busy man with many hobbies that included golfing, fishing, playing pool, and darts. He was a grill master and was known to many for the delectable bacon he grilled on his Traeger. Tom was loved by all, especially his grandkids and great grandkids, whose sporting events he never missed, and he gave the best hugs. He was a fan of Husker volleyball, he and donna holding hands and watching as many games as they could. In his declining years, Tom enjoyed watching nature through his windows, especially the birds and squirrels.
Survivors include his wife, Donna of North Platte, NE; children, Tim (Martha) Rosse of Billings, MO, Bob Rosse of North Platte, NE, Scott (Christina) Rosse of Eagle, ID, Melody (Sean) Trobaugh of Brady, NE, and Tiffany (Roger Freeze) of North Platte, NE; grandchildren, Alexis (Josh) Hood of Lincoln, NE, Brian (Chelsea) Rosse of Billings, MO, Shane (Lauren) of Nashville, TN, Mackenzie (Ben) Crane of Ainsworth, NE, Zach (Anna) Rosse of Eagle, ID, Jordon (Dillon) Linson of Cheyenne, WY, Alec (Katrina) Trobaugh of North Platte, NE, Andrew (Jasmin) Freeze of North platte, NE, Ashton (Trey) Trobaugh of North Platte, NE, and Adam Freeze of Overland Park, KS; 13 great grandkids; sister-in-law, Beth Phillips of Malin, OR; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other family.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Venda; brothers, Wes (Esther) Phillips, Doug (Shirley) Phillips, and Cyrus Phillips; and his sister, Darlene (George) Hockman.
Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, NE. Book signing will be on Friday, October 31, 2025 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.