Obituary

Vernon Charles "Bubba" Phillips

September 5, 1964 - March 29, 2024

Vernon Charles “Bubba” Phillips departed this life on March 29th, 2024. He was born on September 5, 1964 in Houma, Louisiana. His childhood was filled with outdoor adventures and time spent in the company of his brother, his friends, and the many cousins he was close to and very fond of. He was exceptionally bright and was selected for participation in the parish wide gifted and talented program during his elementary and middle school years. 

He graduated from H. L. Bourgeois High School in 1982. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, and went to work at Ethyl Corporation as a research laboratory technician and later worked as an Animal Control Officer in East Baton Rouge parish. By far his favorite work was as an assistant carpenter to the late Jim Watson, who was amongst his very best lifelong friends. Recent years saw declining health which limited his working ability but he still managed a successful entrepreneurial business in internet sales. 

Bubba wore many hats (to go along with his omnipresent camouflage pants) outside of the workforce. He was a nuisance alligator trapper and took interest in the well-being of the local reptile and amphibian population. He was an excellent amateur herpetologist and a fount of information on all things wildlife. Bubba had a razor-sharp wit and an unusual eye for detail. He was incredibly generous with his time and talents without expectation of compensation or any sort of reciprocity; he took great joy in helping others and that was payment enough. His writing ability was one of his strongest skill sets. A legal brief he composed for a friend was described by the district attorney on the case as “one of the finest he had ever read.” 

Bubba is survived by his parents Lois and Charles Phillips of Kentwood, his daughters Bobbi (Joe) Davis of Hammond, Kayla (Matt) Shaw of Kentwood; his grandchildren (all of whom he loved most dearly) Darren, Katherine, Charlotte, and Junior; his brother Thomas (Amanda) Phillips of Valdosta, GA, his nieces Kristine Phillips of Ann Arbor, MI, Katelyn (Luke) Bennett of Athens, GA, nephew Tyler Phillips of Jacksonville, FL, their mother Nancy Williams Phillips of Jacksonville, and grand-nieces Elanore and Madeline Bennett. 

A celebration of Bubba’s colorful life will be held on Saturday, April 6th 2024, at 11:00 am at Pine Ridge Methodist Church in Kentwood. In lieu of flowers the family asks to please consider donating to Crooked Creek Kennels where his beloved dogs Kimber and Sako are currently being homed while awaiting adoption. Crooked Creek Kennels Facebook Link