Philip David McCready, Sr.

Philip David McCready, Sr. of Ocean Springs, MS passed away at home on October 6, 2021 of heart failure and complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was seventy-seven. Phil was born on June 18, 1944 in Chester, in the county of Chesire, England. He immigrated by steamship to Quebec, Canada and later moved to California, where he graduated from high school. He became a proud American citizen at the age of eighteen. Phil cherished his roots and enjoyed sharing fond memories of his childhood abroad. Phil was led to a life of service and loved working with his hands. He was a skilled woodworker and textile craftsman who took pride in home projects as well as contributing to the building and beautification of his beloved Wesley United Methodist Church. He strived to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, offering love and fellowship to all who knew him. Phil joined the Air Force in 1965 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. For his actions as Technical Sergeant while serving in Thailand, he was awarded a Meritorious Service Commendation Medal for “demonstrating outstanding professional skill, exceptional leadership ability, and unsurpassed devotion to duty.” After his service abroad, Phil was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, where he greatly enjoyed his years as an instructor specializing in electronics. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1985, after twenty years of dedicated service. Phil was a charter member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he served in a variety of leadership positions over more than thirty years. He enjoyed supporting the youth of his congregation, often volunteering for youth camps and programs at the church. Phil also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Gulf Park Estates Fire Department and was a proud member of the Rotary Club of Ocean Springs for several years. In the later seasons of Phil’s life, he greatly enjoyed the peace and tranquility of his own backyard, where he sat in the shade of his favorite Oak tree, watching the clouds shift and listening to bird songs. While Phil traveled the world, he never had a happier home than on the Gulf Coast. To the end, Phil loved enjoying delicious foods in fellowship with his family and friends, including his dog, Georgia. Phil was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Mary Azalean McCready. He is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-nine years, Rachel Clark Parker McCready; son, Philip David McCready, Jr. and partner, Jacqueline; step-children, Sarianna Parker and Dana Rae Parker; son-in-law, Milo Dittrich; grandchildren, Hannah, Olivia, and Briana McCready; one great-grandchild; and many more loved ones and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 8900 Old Spanish Trail, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. A celebration of life was held on October 13, 2021 at Wesley United Methodist Church of Ocean Springs, MS. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs is honored to serve the family of Mr. Philip McCready, Sr.