Kaye Don Phillips

Kaye Don Phillips, 84, of Clarklake, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at the Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy in 2010 and his brother and sister-in-law, Ron (Doralee) Phillips. Kaye Don is survived by three sons, Jay (Karen) Phillips, Don Phillips and Rob (Vicki) Phillips, all of Jackson; former daughter-in-law, Kim Cashin; six grandchildren, Shanna (Mike) Marquardt, Brandie (Chris) Costello, Mandy (Nicholas) Reeves, Jessie Phillips, Chriss (Jessie) Adams and Kyle Adams; seven great-grandchildren, Aria, Thea, Jayden, Hunter, Riley, Gavin and Riley.

Kaye Don was a 1955 graduate of Napoleon High School; he then went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force where he learned electronics. Upon his return, he married the former Judy Landon on October 29, 1960. After working a short time at Corning Glass, Kaye Don put his electronics education to use and worked for Troup Electronics before starting his own business, KCI Electronics.

KCI Tree Division followed and is still in operation. For many years, he and his family operated Phillips Farm Homegrown Produce. He genuinely enjoyed working his businesses until his health wouldn’t allow it. Over the years, he liked to hike; he even tackled a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

When his sons were young, he took on the role of Boy Scout Leader. Kaye Don was a former member of the Clarklake Lions Club; some of his favorite times were acting as emcee for festivities of both the Annual Clark Lake Ice Festival and Raft-O-Rama events.

Cremation has taken place and a gathering to celebrate Kaye Don’s life will be planned for summer 2021 if conditions allow. Arrangements were under the care of Arthur-Day Funeral Home, Michigan Center, www.arthur-day.com.