Martin "Preston" Phipps

M. Preston Phipps(aka Pres, PP, Hoghead, Knothead, Scissorbill)March 4, 1928 – April 23, 2026Shawnee, Kansas

Preston was born in Athol, Missouri, to Julia Jane Walker and Floy Ray Phipps. He had three siblings—Tommy, Iris, and Judy. Sadly, Tommy was killed at age 9, which led the family to begin attending church. A friend of his mother would pick them up and take them to the RLDS church in Argentine, as Grandma Julia did not drive.

Preston was baptized at the age of 14 and attended Zion League at the K.C. Stake branch. In the summers, he played volleyball and competed in tournaments between church branches. He also enjoyed roller skating. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural (now Shawnee Mission North) in 1947 and was part of the Boat and Ski Club, where he built his own boat by hand.

In 1949, he married Shirley, and they had two children, Steve and Marcia. They lived up the hill off 34th Street and Merriam Lane, behind the Nigro’s Western Wear building. Preston worked full-time at the railroad, seven days a week, while taking Steve and Marcia to church on Wednesdays. After several years, Preston and Shirley divorced.

While attending Camp Donaphin, Preston met his second wife, MaryLou. They married in January 1959 and purchased a home in Shawnee Village. With help from Susan, Tammy, and church friends, Preston dug out the basement by hand. MaryLou had a daughter, Kathy, from a previous marriage; Preston had Steve and Marcia; and together they had Tammy, Susan, and Amy—a true “his, hers, and ours” family.

Still working at Santa Fe seven days a week, Preston became an ordained Deacon in 1965. Even when scheduled to work Sundays, he would stop by the church on Shawnee Drive to ensure everything was ready. On one occasion, a police officer questioned him while he was checking the building—he simply wanted to make sure everything was in order for services.

In 1967, the family began attending the Olathe group, where Preston helped build the church when time allowed. Summers were filled with AAA road trips, traveling across two-thirds of the United States and even into Mexico. “Have camper, will travel” was his motto. Each trip began with a family prayer for guidance and safety.

Every August, he took the family to Beaver Lake, staying at various campgrounds until Indian Creek became available in the early 1960s. These trips became large family gatherings for the Phipps siblings and their families.

In 1968, they began attending the Glendale Restoration Branch in Independence, Missouri. Around this time, Preston also took on a second full-time job at Shawnee Automotive, working on cars. He was a true grease-monkey and gearhead. (He also worked at Fischer’s, though the dates are uncertain.)

Family traditions remained strong. Every Christmas, Preston and MaryLou visited Steve and Marcia’s homes to exchange gifts. Amy especially enjoyed playing with her nephews and their Transformers.

In 1988, MaryLou was diagnosed with breast cancer while they attended Enoch Hill Branch. In 1990, Preston retired from Santa Fe, but just a month later, he fell from a ladder while trimming trees and broke his neck. He survived, and his recovery was aided by time spent at Beaver Lake and the care he received at a rehabilitation facility near Shawnee Mission Hospital.

In February 1991, MaryLou passed away, leaving Preston to care for their 16-year-old daughter. He and Amy later attended Glendale, then meeting in a grade school gymnasium off Lee’s Summit Road.

Throughout his life, Preston rarely missed his children’s and grandchildren’s band events and sporting games, even serving as a chaperone on three band trips. He was affectionately known as “Grandpa” to all.

In 2000, his home was destroyed by an electrical fire, but with Tammy’s help coordinating contractors, it was rebuilt. He also helped Amy through X-ray school and later assisted in restoring his childhood home—his mother’s house—which brought him great joy.

Though he had tried dating, Preston believed he would never remarry. That changed in 2011 when Sue began attending Glendale. After a church “chuck wagon” event, where Preston dressed as a cowboy, Sue asked for his autograph. Soon after, they began spending time together.

On a drive to Branson, Preston surprised Amy by asking what she would think if he married Sue. After over 20 years alone, he admitted he hadn’t realized how lonely he had been until he met her. They married in February 2012, and Amy made their wedding cake.

Preston and Sue attended Glendale until 2014, then moved to Farview and later Mount Zion in 2016. His dedication to the church only deepened over time—often helping multiple days a week with mowing, building, and preparation.

Preston was a man of integrity, strength, and determination. He believed in making things by hand rather than buying them. Known for his “hands on hips” stance, he loved to oversee projects—especially at Beaver Lake.

His hobbies were many. Whether boating and skiing, working the land, or woodworking, he was always busy. He created countless wood carvings—peach pit monkeys, cowboy boots, figures, and religious pieces—that his family will treasure forever.

He also enjoyed leatherworking, cooking, and canning. From sourdough pancakes and fudge to apple dumplings and povatica, he could make just about anything.

Holidays were always spent with family—Christmas with Marcia and Steve, the Fourth of July in Stilwell, Easter with Tammy’s family, and trips to the Lake of the Ozarks with Amy’s family. He even helped build a retaining wall for Amy’s mother-in-law in 2006.

Preston was always helping others—tinkering, building, and fixing. He was dependable, dedicated, and deeply committed to those around him.

He also had a playful, ornery side. He loved telling stories, including wiring his 1939 Chevy to “spark” his dates (even his sister Iris, with Uncle Jim in on the joke). He believed in harmless fun—“You can TP a house, but never damage it,” he’d say.

A lover of classic cars, he favored big-block engines and insisted his daughters drive Chevys—because he refused to work on anything else. He once admitted to driving 80 mph down “dead-man’s curve” on Midland Drive, a stretch since straightened—likely due to drivers like him.

Preston’s greatest priority was family—steadfast, loyal, and present. His second was faith, which carried him through life’s hardships. To him, the two were inseparable.

He was preceded in death by his wife MaryLou, his wife Sue, his sister Judy, his brother Tommy, his parents, and Jim.

He is survived by Steve & Vicki Peerson; Kathy & Joel Adams; Marcia Gray; Tammy & Randy Phillips; Susan & Greg Pemberton; Amy & Kyle Baze; along with 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Preston left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. He not only built structures with his hands but also built a strong and loving family.

Thank you, Dad, for all the memories—and for showing us the true meaning of fellowship and love.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 10:00am at Amos Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held an hour prior to service starting at 9:00am going until 10:00am. Burial will follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery in Independence, MO. The family suggests memorials be made to The University of Kansas Health System Olathe Hospice House.