Phillip “Phil” David Deem, 71, of Greenfield, passed away on July 7, 2014, at his home. He was born to the late Fred A. and Dorothy (Morrow) Deem, Dec. 3, 1942, in Paris, Illinois.
Phillip graduated from Paris High School in 1942 and attended the Engineering College at Illinois University. He left after one year to join the Army where he was trained in the communications arena. He was assigned to the White House Communications Agency and worked at the White House under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson in NCOIC Radio Operations. He was in Dallas when President Kennedy was assassinated and assigned to the hospital emergency room to expedite telephone messages to Washington.
He later left the Army and returned to civilian life as a Senior Technician for Radiation Systems and Technical Consultant at National Radio Institute in Washington D.C. Eventually, he returned to Danville, Illinois where he joined his brother and father as a partner in Gordon Lumber Company. Still feeling the need to work in the electronics field, he left the partnership and moved to Indianapolis to work for RCA (later known as Thomson Inc.) in consumer electronics. He held various positions at Thomson with his last as a Senior Systems Consultant. Phillip retired in 2008 with 28 years of service.
Phillip was an avid woodworker, ham radio operator, computer, and electronics enthusiast. He would spend countless hours in his workshop perfecting his latest woodworking project. Phillip enjoyed attending ham radio festivals early on in his life but spent much of his years honing his computer and technology knowledge.
He is survived by his loving wife, Susan, of 38 years; his daughter, Jennifer (Deem) Shields and her husband Michael of Greenfield; his grandson, Adam Shields; his brother, Les Deem and his wife Deborah of Veedersburg, Ind.; sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Phillip’s life service will be held at a later time. Stillinger Family Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Phillip to Hancock Regional Hospice Foundation 801 North State Street Greenfield, Indiana 46140.
Online condolences can be made by visiting www.stillingerfamilyfuneralhome.com
