Gerry, as he was known by most, was an avid collector of Civil Air Patrol patches, insignia, challange coins, and other CAP memorabilia. He very often traded with, and provided useful information to fellow militaria collectors and historians.

Upon Gerry's passing, his son Joel Phillips reached out to me about his father's Civil Air Patrol items, knowing of our relationship of several years. I was humbled and honored to be entrusted with Gerry's collection and to become its curator.

Items documented here on the CAP Patches Website displaying the icon are part of the Gerry Phillips Legacy Collection.
                                                              

Gerry was born in Brooklyn New York to a New York City Cab Driver Fred Phillips and his Mother Joan, a sought out caterer to the rich and famous. Gerry had an older brother Arlan and older sister Carol. Married in 1965, he had 2 children, Joel and Joan. By age 14 he was already working at Coney Island serving ice cream, cotton candy and working at a local grocery store. Around this time and fascinated by aviation and history, Gerry joined the Civil Air Patrol (an auxiliary of the Air Force). This club furthered his interest and after high school, Gerry went into the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from 1959 - 1967, including serving in Vietnam. While stationed as a training instructor at Lackland AFB, he went to several functions for Jewish airmen at Temple Beth El here in San Antonio. At one of these functions, he met Maralyn who later became his wife.

After being honorably discharged from the Air force in 1967, Gerry really didn't know what he was going to do, being newly married at the time had a son, his father in law who had a successful western wear business (L&M Western Stores) put him to work. He worked his way up through the years from sales, manager and eventually Vice President. After Morris (his father in law) passed away he felt he wasn't ready to fully take over the business and sold half of the business and later selling the remainder. Gerry went on to sell printing for almost 15 years. During this time he and Maralyn not happy with the selection of gifts at the local synagogue gift shops started their own judaica gift shop and in 1985 he quit the print business and opened up a full retail judaica gift shop known as "L’Chayim Gift Shop". After 15 years he and Maralyn decided to semi retire.

Gerry was also very active with his kids growing up helping in various activities including the local youth groups with the synagogue. Over the remaining years Gerry had several part time jobs working at Costco, TJ Max and Sam's Club, (his Favorite). After Maralyn passed away in 2022 Gerry became very active within his apartment community having organized a food Pantry for residents, bingo games and poker games, which he loved playing, mainly cause he usually won!

Gerry was interred May 15, 2023 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas at Section 64, Row 0, Site 608.