Mike Phillips, 62

Mike “The Pirate” Phillips passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2017.

He was born in Miami in 1955 and raced through his younger years playing “all sports.” He moved to Las Vegas with his brother and sister-in-law, Michelle Simpson, in the ‘60s and put himself through New Mexico’s Albuquerque High School while singing in a rock band and working at The Pancake House.

Mike picked up bartending from a mentor down in New Orleans and then developed his art at the Playboy Club in Dallas, Texas. He married Debra in Texas and had one son, Cory, in 1976.

Mike had a deep affinity for the wilderness and took an opportunity to live and work in Stanley, Idaho, where he learned whitewater rafting. He met and married Lynn in California and had another son, Sean, in 1983. Mike lost his right leg in 1985 when he was struck by an inattentive driver while waiting for help on the side of the highway. He managed a string of successful pubs and restaurants in California, but then it was off to the wilderness of Arizona’s Grand Canyon.

Mike met Joan there in 1993, regrouped with Cory and Sean, then moved the family base back up to Idaho. He had his third son, Cody, in 1997. While living in Idaho, Mike’s projects included T.W. Fisher in Coeur D’alene, Iron Horse in Post Falls, Sonic Burritos in Spokane and Havana’s Cigar Bar across from Spokane Valley Arena.

Onward to Montana, Mike had a hand in a variety of projects in the Flathead Valley including Big Mountain Summit House, North Bay Grille, The Docks in Lakeside, Muley’s on Blacktail Mountain and Brannigan’s Pub. Most recently, he was semi-retired and working down in Woods Bay at The Sitting Duck with Tammy and Travis, surrounded by friends, in the type of small community he loved so much.

Mike leaves his three beloved sons: Cory Phillips of Lawrence, Kan.; Sean Phillips with Trisha and grandsons Sean and Seth of Temecula, Calif.; Cody Phillips of Columbia Falls, Mont. Brothers Tom (Boston) Pete (Coeur D’Alene), Ted (N.C.), and David (N.H.); sister Christy with Dan Brandon and kids, Bethany and Josh up in Starr, Alberta, Canada; loved ones, Michelle Simpson, nephew Don Simpson with wife Jessica and the kids in New Mexico; sweetheart Theresa Cornett in Woods Bay and a pirate ship load of friends.