Fayette resident, Philip Baylor, passed away at the age of 100 at the Lodge on October 21, 2024.

Philip Ellsworth Baylor was born in Cuba, IL on November 23, 1923. He was the youngest of three children born to the late Curtis Ellsworth and Caroline Hanna (Scott) Baylor. Phil graduated from Cuba High School with the class of 1941. After high school he attended one year at Kemper Military Academy in Boonville. Phil then went to Iowa State College and while there, received his appointment to the United States Naval Academy and was sworn into the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1943. Phil was a member of the 1947 graduating class, alongside classmate, and former United States President, Jimmy Carter. Phil served on the destroyer, Robert H. McCard, in the Mediterranean Sea. He returned to civilian life and was married but due to the onset of the Korean War, Phil was ordered to return to the Navy. He served on the USS Dixie and was honorably discharged in 1953.

It was on January 7, 1950, Phil married Phyllis Blakley, and under this union shared four boys. Phyllis preceded him in death in 1994 as the result of an automobile accident. Following his stint with the Navy, the Baylors bought a farm near Fayette, MO, where Phil farmed for several years. Phil also furthered his education earning a Masters Degree from the University of Missouri - Rolla. In 1960, Phil started his teaching career that spanned 30 years. He spent most of his career at Boonville High School, where he taught math, physics, geometry and trigonometry. In August of 1999, Phil was remarried in Pittsburgh, PA to Martha (Burns) Baylor. The couple have enjoyed over 25 years of marriage. Following his retirement, Phil traveled extensively and always enjoyed attending his Naval Academy reunions. When he was able, Phil was an avid golfer and loved playing at the Fayette Golf Course.  

Survivors include his wife, Martha Baylor of Pittsburgh, PA; three sons, Curtis (Kathy) Baylor, John (Denise Haskamp) Baylor, both of Fayette, MO, and Jim (Peppy) Baylor of Waco, TX; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  

In addition to his first spouse, Phyllis, and his parents, Phil was preceded in death by a son, Geroge Lewis Baylor, a brother, George Scott Baylor and a sister, Virginia Jane Ewing.

A memorial service honoring the life of Philip Baylor was held 11 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2024 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, with Rev. Bill O’Neal officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to the service starting at 10 a.m. A private family inurnment will take place on the Baylor Farm at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hometown Homecare Hospice, c/o Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.