Earl J Philpott

Earl J. (EJ) Philpott, 79, passed away Jan. 3, 2012. He is survived by his wife Carol; daughter Kim Philpott of Oldsmar, Fla.; son Guy Philpott of Sitka, Alaska; daughter Kely Engdahl her husband Clark and son Ian of Dana Point, Calif.; brother Tom Philpott and his wife Chris of Toronto, Canada; and brother Edgar Philpott of Toronto, Canada; sister-in-law Martha (Marty) Hopkins; "adopted" daughter Cashel Mack and her son Keegan, plus numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family. Earl came to Arkansas from California at the "invitation" of Fred Smith as Fred was beginning the development of Federal Express. Earl designed the first cargo doors and landing lights modifications on the Falcon jet, which was used as Fed Ex's first cargo plane. EJ later retired from Dassault Falcon Jet. He was an accomplished, complicated, multi-talented man with an unmatched zest for life. He was a dedicated, serious, fun, absolutely upbeat individual with a remarkable sense of humor who tackled his work, play and the world with a truly sunny disposition. Regardless of the stresses of the day, he always had a reply of "Couldn't be better!" when asked how he was doing. He had an immense love for his wife and family, reveled in the antics and affection of his four-legged children and was always willing to help those in need. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, especially fly fishing, golf with his wife and/or buddies at The Village and ‘communing with mother nature' any time of the year under any circumstance, particularly when he could take photographs. EJ survived the Korean War in the Canadian Navy, wild wolf packs in a village in the Northwest Territories of Canada, a small plane breaking through the ice on a seemingly frozen lake in the Arctic near Baffin Island, polar bears, double pneumonia with a near-death experience in Quebec and being on the last plane out of the air while flying into Pittsburgh on 9/11, but when the last call was heard, he answered. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either of his favorite charities: St. Jude's Hospital, Arkansas Children's Hospital or Wounded Warriors. Family visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 with funeral services immediately following at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Hwy 5 North, Alexander, Ark. 72002, 501-455-1067. Please share your memories of EJ at www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.