Phillip Dean Ireton

Phillip Dean "Phil" Ireton, age 78, died on September 19, 2021 at his home in Defuniak Springs, Florida.  He was born November 15,1942 in Kansas City, Missouri, the fifth child and third son of Loren Paul and Haily (Bird) Ireton. He was married to Nancy Lee Kohaus, who passed away in 1990, and later to Virginia Mauldin who also preceded him in death in 2015.  He was an IT manager, primarily for the Sysco Corporations branch in Olathe, Kansas, retiring to Florida about 18 years ago. Phil was known for many things:  his exceptionally sharp mind, genial friendliness, eccentric sense of humor, love for playing bridge, stamp collecting, and his fierce devotion to all of his children. He was a published author of poetry and short stories. He taught bridge at the local Defuniak Springs Senior Center. He was a very creative man who also had a talent for music. He played guitar, bass, and piano and also had a wonderful singing voice which he displayed in church choirs and with a jazz ensemble in New Orleans. He wrote and directed a Christmas play called Shenandoah: A Christmas Story for Shalimar Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder. He volunteered many hours at the church assisting with administrative duties, such as bookkeeping. His love for all things was so strong that when he was 6 years old, he and his older brother, Richard, attempted to rescue the monkeys from Monkey Island in Kansas City, MO. Although they were unsuccessful, it showed what a huge heart he had and made the front page of the Kansas City Times.

He is preceded in death by both of his wives; and two older brothers, Paul and Mark Ireton. 

Phil is survived by his sister, Nancy Rock of Sequim, Washington; two brothers, Michael Rock of Shawnee, Kansas, and Patrick Rock of Overland Park, Kansas; one son, Daniel D. Ireton; and four daughters, Catherine Ireton of Lenexa, Kansas, Elizabeth Ireton of Defuniak Springs, Florida, Paige Woody of Crestview, Florida, and Melissa Clair of Overland Park, Kansas; and 14 grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve, 297 Railroad Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. 

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.