Edward Taylor Phares was born June 26th
1957, in Newton, Kansas.
He was one of six children, proceeded
in death by his father Harold Phares, his mother Winifred Woodward,
and his brother Donnie Phares. Surviving siblings are Mike and Debi
Phares of Oxford, Kansas, Randy Phares of El Dorado, Kansas, Cindy
Estrada of Houston, Texas, and Debi and John Thaden of Kodak,
Tennessee. He is survived by his wife Tammy Phares, his four
children, and one foster son including: Tiffany and Bobby Southern of
Newton, Kansas, Joshua and Heather Phares of Prescott, Arizona, Talia
and Joshua Fuller of Newton, Jordan Phares of Newton, and Bo and
Ashley Moody of Stroud, Oklahoma. Ed is survived by eight
grandchildren as well: Jade, Alexis, Bobby, Eddy, and Josselynn
Southern, Trinity Phares; Delaney and Wynnie Fuller.
Ed was born with a hunger to help
people in need, whether it was a family member, or some random person
he saw on the street. When Ed was just a kid he would hang out at the
firehouse observing, and visiting with the guys about the life of a
Firefighter. Ed's dreams of becoming a Firefighter came true when he
joined the Newton Fire Department straight out of high school.
Shortly after, he rose through the ranks becoming a Captain. After
over 20 years of service (August 28, 1977 to March 4, 2000), Ed's career was cut short due to a back
injury sustained at work. Family meant the most to Ed, and that
included his yorkies, Oliver and Sophie. He has gone through hell and
high water to give his children, and grandchildren what they needed.
Papa was very positive, and brought light to every bad situation.
Papa believed if you did something, you did it 110%, that meant if he
needed to mow his grass three times a week he would do it. He took
pride in what he believed in, and everything he owned. A father, a
husband, a grandfather, a brother, a friend, a coach, and a neighbor
whose presence on earth will forever be missed.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m.,
Thursday, May 14, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton,
Kansas with The Reverend Jim Mainzer presiding. Visitation will be 5
p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening May 12 at Petersen Funeral Home with
the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the
Funeral Home. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening May 13 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Private
family interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery Newton. Memorials are suggested to Caring Hands
Humane Society or the 1926 Fire Truck Fund in care of Petersen
Funeral Home.
