CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mr. Phillip Ray Magan, 81, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born on May 28, 1942, to his parents, Ivan and Lucy Magan, who preceded him in death.
He was raised with his two brothers on the family farm in Olaton, Kentucky. In his free time growing up, he enjoyed sports, hunting and fishing. Following his graduation from Western Kentucky University in 1965, where he played for the Hilltoppers baseball team, he had a 43-year career with Olin Corporation. From his initial role as a chemist to his final role as Director of the SouthEast Region, he was committed to working hard and finding solutions for customers. Phil celebrated his retirement from Olin in 2008.
His retirement dream was to go fishing as much as possible and to raise a vegetable garden on his farm in Olaton every summer. He restored his family farm to a working farm growing crops of corn and soybeans and became a bee-keeper known for perfectly sweet honey. He was proud of his roadside Free Table he kept stocked with fresh produce for neighbors to enjoy each summer.
Phil married Julia Nan Park in 1965 and together raised their family. He loved his family, and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was a life-long fan of the University of Kentucky Basketball and Atlanta Braves Baseball Teams. He was also a people-person who loved a good conversation and story, especially over breakfast. Throughout his life, he continued to grow his circle of friends. His circle included friends from childhood, college, and work, as well as friends from every town he ever lived in and fishing hole he ever visited.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Julia Park Magan, his son, Phillip Gregory Magan and his brother, Billy Gail Magan (Beverly).
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughters, Lea Magan Fletcher (Douglas) and Lindy Magan Freeman (Randall); grandchildren, Parker Blaisdell Freeman, Harrison Douglas Fletcher, John Gabriel Freeman, and Julianne Lea Fletcher; brother, Kerry Payne Magan (Deborah); sister-in-law, Shirley Ann Park Hall; cousins, nephews and nieces, and grand-nephews and -nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, with Ron Chilton officiating. Burial will follow in Axton Cemetery in Olaton. Friends may visit with Phil’s family from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at the funeral home.
The family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to organizations Phil supported over the years: No Kid Hungry, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Wounded Warrior Project.
Online condolences may be left for the family of Phillip Ray Magan by visiting his tribute at www.danksfuneralhome.com.