Philip Myron Phemister passed away March 15, 2026, at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver. He was 78.
Phil was born to Prentice and Claudine Phemister in Port Angeles, Washington, on Sept. 30, 1947. He lived there until graduation from high school in 1966, when he began his active duty in the Navy, having already served 2 years in the Naval Reserve while still in school. During his active duty, he was proud to be stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, serving in the Southeast Asia arena.
After leaving the Navy, he attended Seattle Central Community College, training to be a dental technician, followed by attending Central Washington State College in Ellensburg, earning his bachelor’s degree while practicing in the dental field. Later, he took additional classes at Portland State University, becoming an elementary teacher, working in the Vancouver School District, first at Fruit Valley Elementary and later at Felida Elementary. He retired after 30 years.
Retirement gave him more time to focus on his new passion: taking care of the 5 acres of land in Battle Ground, Washington, on which he and his wife, Peggy, were living. He, and his tractor, were often seen working on his property or helping a neighbor to do some job on their property.
He also enjoyed viewing vintage movies from many different genres. His favorites were science fiction, westerns and musicals.
Phil was on a first-name basis with all the pets in the neighborhood, whether dogs, pigs, ducks or chickens.
Phil is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy; his brother David and sister-in-law Linda; his cousin Pam Alleman and her husband, Tony; a niece, Mary; nephews Steven, Jared, Brent and Nathan; and in-laws Deb and Lyle Cushman and Barbara and Mark Mendiola. He was preceded in death by his parents and three cousins.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 9, at 12:30 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the caregivers at AAA Adult Family Home and those at the Ray Hickey Hospice House.
