James Patrick "Pat" Phillips

James Patrick “Pat” Phillips, 55, died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at his home at Landis Place in Lancaster, PA. James was born on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10, 1969, in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from Sequoyah High School in 1988. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he graduated from Devry Institute of Technology with an Associate in Electronics and Communications Engineering in 1993. James worked in IT Support for companies like McKesson, Allscripts, and Conarc by IRIS. He moved to Lancaster, PA in 2020 after living most of his life in GA. He traveled much of the United States between his work and his time in the Navy, but he most fondly remembered his 2016 trip to New Orleans with his child Kaylen. James enjoyed fishing, hiking, and making people laugh. He was privately spiritual and ascribed to a mix of earth-based religions, such as Paganism, Buddhism, and Shamanism. He had an eclectic range of knowledge of American history, musicians, philosophy, and the generally obscure. He loved to research and strategize, as evidenced by the sticky notes around his desk where he spent time playing video games, writing, and planning workout routines. James was a prolific writer under pen name R. Kane, with over 6 books ranging from sci-fi/fantasy to steampunk to horror. He had a small but dedicated fanbase who would describe his writing as a “page-turner” akin to watching a movie with “great characters, punch-ups, shoot-outs, double-crossing, lots of humor, and a bit of romance.” He was also active in Elf Quest forums, where he published fanfiction of all kinds. James is survived by his only child Kaylen Phillips of Philadelphia, PA, Kaylen’s partner J. van Kuilenburg of Philadelphia, PA, and the family cat Etta; brother Allan Phillips of West Virginia; sister-in-law Katherine Roberts of Sarasota, FL; nieces and nephews Eric Roberts, Kimberly Roberts, and Kevin Roberts of Sarasota, FL; sister-in-law Tammi Phillips of Winder, GA; nephew Stephen Phillips of Rutledge, GA and niece Jennifer Phillips Greyson of Athens, GA; and other friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father Lewis A. Phillips of Commerce, GA; mother Gaynor M. Roberts Phillips of Norcross, GA; brothers Gary N. Roberts of Sarasota, GA, and Stephen “Chris” Phillips of Auburn, GA; and sister Lucretia A. Roberts of Buford, GA. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m A virtual link is available for those who cannot join in person. https://uuma.zoom.us/j/92585499588 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Invisible Histories, a community-based archive that focuses on preserving, researching, and creating educational, community-centered content about the rich and diverse history of LGBTQ people, places, and events in the US South.