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TOP STORY OF THE DAY - A journalist, a mentor, a friend
Frank Phillips was an old-school gentleman and a journalist.
Living a lifetime of journalism, Frank - as everyone called him - worked at The Brazil Times for 14 years.
The Brazil Times staff will always remember Frank’s unique sense of humor - he told “dad jokes” before society called them “dad jokes” - and his love of family, friends, and community.
Frank lived and loved the Clay County area and the personal stories he wrote.
Frank hired me, and I will never forget him saying, “A room full of monkeys can ultimately write a novel if you give them a typewriter. It might not be any good, but they will write a story. It’s like that in reporting the news. A person might sit down and write a story, but you have to love this job to write good stories the public wants to read.”
My fond memories of Frank include sitting and talking about story ideas featuring people and events in this community and why they are important.
Frank was my mentor, who took a chance on me when I didn’t believe I could do this job. Frank teased me, “You’ll take this editor’s chair from me someday.”
I always said no, but here I am, some 20 years later, and it is only because of Frank Phillips. Although he had moved on to another form of journalism that he loved, I will truly miss my friend Frank Phillips, and my heart is with his family and friends.
The community responds to the death of a beloved reporter and friend:
Times Publisher Chris Pruett said he was saddened to hear of Phillips’ passing.
“Frank cared deeply about Brazil and Clay County. You could tell that by the way he approached his job with The Times,” Pruett said. “Frank enjoyed writing about the people of Clay County and took his role as a journalist seriously. He covered city, county and school meetings that dealt with taxpayer money. Frank believed it was the newspaper’s job to keep the taxpayers informed of how and where their money was spent.”
Phillips saw many changes in his journalism career.
“The Times, and the newspaper business in general, has gone through many changes over the past 10 or 15 years, and Frank was a big part of many of those changes. As editor, he saw his newsroom staff go from five or six members to three late in his career. But he made sure he gave our readers the best possible product he could,” Pruett said.
Brazil Times General Manager Christina Meyer admired Frank’s relationship with his wife Linda.
“Each day he would leave at noon to have lunch with Linda,” Meyer said. “I always thought it was so sweet of Frank. They still walked hand in hand as a couple.”
Banner Graphic Editor Jared Jernagan reflected on Phillips’s dedication and approach to journalism.
“Being a small-town journalist often means putting the community’s needs ahead of your own interests,” said Jernagan. “The good ones understand that even seemingly insignificant stories are the most important thing in the world to some community members. With that in mind, they pour a small part of themselves into each story. I know Frank left little parts of himself in thousands of stories around West Central Indiana over the years. This region and our occupation are diminished in his absence.”
Columnist Mary Lou Sarter and her family
“Frank Phillips gave his all to our community, his kindness, good deeds, and dedication to his profession and affiliations. He will be long remembered,” Sartor said. “I will forever be grateful he gave this writer space in The Brazil Times and believed in me. To his family, may the love of God surround you during your time of sorrow. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”
WAMB & WFNB Radio Dave Crooks.
“Frank liked to interact with people. He enjoyed working in media at The Brazil Times and my local radio stations,” said Crooks. “Frank was always interested in the community, and his passion was letting us know what was happening. Frank was always willing to help others. Our hearts are heavy at DLC Media, especially for Linda and the entire Phillips family. We truly miss him.”
Clay County Commissioner Paul Sinders
“Frank Phillips was a good man. He was professional, kind, and understanding. When Frank came to a Commissioner’s meeting, he would greet us and come to the platform to shake hands. He had a job to do, and when he attended the commissioner’s meetings and did not fully understand what we had discussed and approved in the meeting, he would talk to us after the meeting or give us a phone call. That was appreciated,” said Sinders. “Frank was a man of faith and integrity. He was humble sincere, and always appreciated your help and assistance. He cared about people in government and those who he worked with. Frank, thanks for your help, assistance, and our discussions. You will be missed. God bless!”