Eldon F. Phillips earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky, where he began building the foundation for a lifelong commitment to news, storytelling, and public service.

While still in college, he worked as a photographer for the Lexington Herald-Leader and later served as an intern at the Kentucky Post. He also worked as the college photographer at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, gaining experience that reflected both his talent and his dedication to the craft of journalism.

In 1966, Eldon joined the Air Force and served at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, and later at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. While stationed at Clark, he served as editor of the base newspaper, the Philippines Flyer, and received the Best in Air Force Award in 1969. His work there demonstrated the same professionalism and attention to detail that would define his career for decades to come.

After his military service, Eldon continued his work in journalism. In 1970, he joined the staff of the Cincinnati Post and Times-Star as a reporter and later as a copy editor. When the Ohio River froze in 1977, he moved to Miami and joined the Miami News, where he worked as a copy editor and assistant news editor.

He later moved to Mesa, Arizona, to serve as assistant managing editor of the Mesa Tribune, and he also shared his knowledge as an adjunct professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University for 6 years.

Later in his career, he worked at the Star-Telegram in Fort Worth, Texas, as a news editor, and a few years afterward he returned to Florida to work at the Stuart News. He eventually retired and remained in Palm City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife, Nancy Chambers.

He is survived by his nephew and his wife, great-niece, great-nephew, and his brother and his wife, Jeannie. He is also survived by his second wife, Patricia Young.

Eldon's family observed a private service with military honors in Lexington Cemetery.