Phillip Gene House

Phillip Gene House of Versailles, KY passed away Monday, November 4th, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family. Phil was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was born on June 10th, 1938, in Midway, KY to the late Elwood and Roberta House. After making moves due to Elwood’s career, they settled in Midway where Phil graduated from Midway High School. He played and captained the basketball team and was the Salutatorian of his class. Growing up, along with running the Midway corner grocery, their household avidly cheered for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. They never missed Cawood Ledford’s calls on the radio. Phil remained an avid UK sports fan throughout his life.

After attending the University of Kentucky, Phil started with Procter and Gamble before joining IBM, where he would achieve management status and remain for 32 years. He was a lifelong member of Versailles Baptist Church where he served in many legendary capacities. While he enjoyed his career, he also valued community service as he spent 19 years on the Versailles City Council always championing for the citizens he served, especially passionate about planning and zoning.

While working and serving the community was important to Phil, he never missed a chance to support and encourage his children’s participation in their various activities such as Lisa’s cheerleading, Kevin’s FFA events, and Greg’s ball games. He volunteered and coached many teams and served as a high school basketball referee for many years.

Phil loved to travel. When his children were growing up, he made sure the family of five shared his passion. His most memorable of the family trips during this era was the three-week escapade in the family station wagon all around the western half of the United States, seeing all the sites. In retirement he and Mary Margaret would take what would become his favorite trip to Alaska. They also travelled to Hawaii where they brought along his surviving sister-in-law Jo Ann Leigh of Versailles. Additionally, as the family grew with in-laws and grandchildren, he took them to Diamond Head Resort in Fort Myers, Florida for many years in a row where he took pride in planning and providing for every detail. Phil always attributed his ability to provide for these memorable experiences post-retirement to his “luck,” which was his ability to work hard and invest well.

Each of Phil’s children - Lisa, Kevin and Greg - inherited unique versions of his qualities that defined legacy, making them each successful in their own lives personally and professionally. Lisa applied his encouraging nature and servant-leadership throughout her influential teaching career. Kevin employed his dad’s ultimate handy-work and quality construction skills to his successful career in construction/building inspection, and finally Greg continues to exhibit Phil’s dedication to the business world, showing executive acumen and attention to detail, along with his father’s passion for all things sports.

Along with his parents, Phil is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Margaret Richardson House. Phil referred to Mary Margaret as beautiful and kind and proclaimed that after meeting her at the local drive-in he never wanted to marry anyone else.

Also preceding him in death is his oldest son Kevin House, his brother David House and other special family members and friends. He is survived by his daughter Lisa (Rocky) Padgett of Versailles; son Greg (Jennifer) House of Lexington; daughter-in-law Tammy Jones (widow of Kevin House) of Fort Myers, Florida; grandsons Will Padgett of Versailles and Davis House of Lexington, and a granddaughter Edie Margaret House of Lexington. Additionally, he is survived by one sister, Maxine (widow of Billy) Gilkison of Versailles, one sister-in-law Martha (widow of David) House of Owensboro, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family of which he thought the world.

A visitation for Phil, also known by his grandchildren as “Grandad” and “G-Da,” will be held Friday, November 8th at Clark Funeral Home, Rose Hill in Versailles from 11AM-1PM, with the funeral following at 1PM. Phil will be buried at Midway Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Greg House, Davis House, Will Padgett, Edie House, Rocky Padgett, Darrell Varner, Gary Varner, Rich Martin, Bobby Nuckols, Glenn Poole, and Mack Head.

The family has found great comfort in Philippians 4:6-7, which can be paraphrased by saying Phil was never anxious and found peace with God that surpassed all understanding. For that, they are thankful.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to Versailles Baptist Church.