Mr. Steven E. PhiloCullum: 25613 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: H2 Date of Birth: December 24, 1942 Date of Death: July 21, 2019 Died in: Franklin, NC Interred: Cremated - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Steven Edward Philo was born on Christmas Eve of 1942 in Winston-Salem, NC, the son of Madeline Pressley Philo and Leonard Edward Philo. His early days are mostly lost to history, but we, his classmates, do know of his ever-growing love of sports, both as a competitor and an avid fan. Sports would also play a major role in his entrance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Steve was the North Carolina State Champion in the 440-yard dash in 1961. Graham Forrest, a close friend in high school, was being recruited by West Point to play tennis and invited Steve to go with him to pick up the entrance application from their local congressman’s office. While there, Steve learned that the Army Track coach was looking for recruits for the Track Team. Steve was an excellent runner in high school, so he applied along with Graham, and both were accepted into the Class of 1965.
Steve’s career at West Point was a mixed bag. He had a solid academic record and was a stalwart on the athletic field, but his lasting reputation was earned in Central Area, where he spent countless hours walking the Area. His competition with the Tactical Department started at Camp Buckner when he was caught trying to sneak out of camp one night. It quickly escalated until Steve was warned that he could be dismissed from the Academy for excess demerits. At virtually the same time, Steve heard from his high school sweetheart, Molly Thornton, that she would be moving from North Carolina to New Jersey to attend college and spend more time with him.
Steve’s relationship with Molly, which started during their sophomore year in high school, would culminate in their marriage on July 31, 1965. After two months of graduation leave, they began their military career. They first went to Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA, where Molly would meet up between sessions to record the exploits of Steve and his Ranger buddy, share with him his first decent meal in three weeks, and help him get ready for some more “Ranger” fun. From Fort Benning, Steve and Molly started a five-year odyssey that took them to Baltimore, MD; Munich, Germany; and Vietnam, among others. Steve and Molly both enjoyed the travel and took full advantage of visiting the local attractions.
As his five-year commitment to the Army approached, Steve and Molly decided they were ready for some new challenges. Steve submitted his resignation and enrolled in law school. He initially attended Duke University Law School and later transferred to Wake Forest Law School, from which he subsequently graduated. Steve joined a local firm in Winston-Salem. After practicing there for a few years, Molly and Steve decided to move to Franklin, a beautiful community in the mountains of North Carolina.
Life in Franklin was much slower than in Winston-Salem. During nearly 40 years in practice in a two-man firm, Steve was able to spend more time on his favorite pastime, sports. For more than 10 years he was an assistant coach on the local high school track and cross-country teams. During his tenure, the teams won multiple championships, including the NC State Championship. At the same time, Steve was also an NC state basketball official. Steve was an avid fan of professional sports, especially baseball. He didn’t have a favorite team, but he did have a favorite player, Henry “Hank” Aaron. As far back as his cadet days, he would argue with his roommates for hours about the relative talents of Hank Aaron vs. Willie Mays. As he approached his seventies, Steve decided it was time to take up golf. His West Point class had an annual golf outing, and Steve, with much encouragement from his classmates, decided to attend. He bought some used clubs, a shabby golf bag and a few used golf balls, hit a few shots at his local driving range and began his golfing career. To everyone’s surprise he quickly improved and soon became a “regular” at the class outings.
Steve’s other passions were more serious and always involved helping other people. He taught legal classes at the local junior college. He managed the Cherokee Indian Reservation Drug Court, and he proudly served as the inaugural judge on that court. Steve was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and had 35 years of sobriety. He loved mentoring young athletes, young adults, and other recovering alcoholics. He was active in the NC state alcohol and drug rehab program for other attorneys.
Steve passed away on July 21, 2019, almost two years to the day after the passing of Molly, the love of his life.
He left behind a son, Leonard, who is a physician in Washington state; a beautiful daughter-in-law, Jennifer, a global vice president for a technology company; and two wonderful grandchildren. His granddaughter, Kathleen, works and lives in his favorite city to visit, New York City, and his namesake, Steven Edward Philo, works in Washington state.
Steve will be missed.
— Classmates
