Philip “Phil” Lee Sheridan
March 1, 2012
Philip “Phil” Lee Sheridan, 87, passed away on February 26, 2012, in
Amarillo due to natural causes.
Phil was born in Berkeley, Calif., on October 17, 1924, as he entered
his family as the only deaf child: Philip Lawrence “Larry” Sheridan,
father, Helen Huntley Sheridan, mother, and Patricia Sheridan, his
sister.
Phil grew up in various locations (Berkeley, Pasadena, Honolulu, Big
Springs (or Big Timber) Montana and Vancouver B.C.). Being deaf is
never easy, especially during challenging times. Since it was the
Depression/WWII era, Phil did his very best to help bring in family
money and maintained most of the cooking/cleaning while his mother,
Helen, worked long hours to earn money (women earned smaller wages back
then).
Phil graduated from Pasadena City College (there were no interpreters
for the deaf back then) and eventually became a draftsman with Lockheed
(manufacturers of airplanes). Phil was a “self-taught” professional by
constantly learning how to improve his work skills, his writing, and
his life-long desire to learn about world history and archeology.
He toured around the world three times, with his wife, and alone, and
always with a tight budget. He witnessed the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth and witnessed the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. Deafness
was not an issue during his travels. Phil always benefitted from the
use of American Sign Language, as well as note-writing, since these two
tools were most helpful during his travels. Even after marriage, he
would travel with his wife and learn together. His children have also
developed a love for travel.
Phil married Barbara Upton Sheridan in Deming, N.M., in 1954. They
lived briefly in Bayard, N.M., and Arizona. Later, they lived for a few
years in Santa Clara, Calif., where Phil worked as a Cartographer for
the U.S. Geological Survey. They later moved to Silver Spring, Md.,
Deming, N.M., and Downey, Calif., where Phil retired out of the U.S.
Naval Department.
The family grew with the addition of Priscilla Wamel Sheridan (now
Miller) of Amarillo and Philip Dean Sheridan of Bainbridge Island,
Wash., both partially deaf. Priscilla married David Miller. Later, Phil
became a proud grandfather to Scott, Michelle, Brian, and Kevin. Scott
and English Miller brought forth his great-grandchildren, Zachary and
Adelyn. Michelle brought joy in marrying Matthew Erickson. Philip Dean
Sheridan married Lea May Grant, and Phil became a proud grandfather to
Danica, Cambria, and Philip Grant.
There were three main events that helped form Phil’s life: his mother,
Helen, his best deaf friend, Merle Smith (who taught him vocabulary
builders using Latin/Greek prefixes), and the Hawaiian way of life.
Everything in Hawaii is based on Balance and Harmony, as well as the
appreciation for fresh food and good health.
The five phrases that sum up the life of Philip Lee Sheridan: God,
honor, hard work, stoicism, and the joy of traveling. Rest in Peace
Phil… your next trip should be a fantastic journey. Mahalo and Aloha
(Hawaiian for thank you and goodbye-with love).
The funeral will be held at Baca’s Mortuary in Deming, N.M., March 3,
at 10 a.m., presided by Rev. Larimore Wickett, pastor of Deming First
Presbyterian Church. He will be buried alongside his wife, Barbara, who
passed away in 1999.
The family wishes to thank Chestnut Lane Assisted Living Facility for
the Deaf in Oregon, The Continental, BSA Hospice, and Childers Place
(all in Amarillo) for helping Philip in his last few years of life on
Earth.
Memorials may be made to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.
Sign the online guestbook at http://www.schoolerfuneralhome.com .
Amarillo Globe-News, March 1, 2012
Source:
http://amarillo.com/obituaries/2012-03-01/philip-phil-lee-sheridan