Michael J. Phillips (1952-2025)
Michael (Mike) Joseph Phillips, age 72 of Copper Center, AK, a loving father of two and husband, passed away peacefully at 9:30am on February 3, 2025, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.
Mike was born on September 25, 1952, in Sartell, MN, and grew up in a large family on the banks of the Mississippi River. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1970.
Mike moved to Alaska in 1973 but returned home to St. Cloud, MN, for Christmas, when he started dating his eventual wife, Lanette. They returned to Alaska in 1974 and began a life together. Mike and Lanette resided in Kenny Lake while helping to build the Alyeska Pipeline from 1974-1978. They lived in Nelchina from 1978-1980 and were married at Mendeltna Chapel on September 27, 1980 (after hunting season, of course!). They moved to Copper Center in 1980.
Mike & Lanette bought property with fishing out back and a lovely view out front on the banks of the Klutina River in 1982 and began building their home, a labor of love for over 15 years. Mike and Lanette built the home with incremental help from friends.
Mike & Lanette commercial fished at set net sites for salmon in Smokey Point, AK, where Ugashik Bay and Bristol Bay meet, from 1982 to 1999 while raising their two children. Mike worked seasonally most of his life, managing road construction on various projects around the state for many years in between commercial fishing and herring fishing. He also worked at HAARP near Gakona, AK, for several years. Mike started working for Copper Valley Telecom in Glennallen, AK, in 2004, mainly splicing fiber, until his retirement in 2010.
Mike enjoyed visiting with friends, a good party, playing poker, trying new things, woodworking, snow machining on glaciers and rivers, ice fishing, traveling, and sailing in the Bahamas, amongst many other adventures. He was a man of many talents, interests and was exceptionally creative! He was always willing to lend a hand to neighbors and strangers. Mike cared sincerely about his community and did what he could to make the Copper Basin a place you want to call home because it was his home.
Mike’s final project over the past couple of years was restoring a 1930s log cabin at the Copper Center property to its original glory. His legacy will live on in his final project and through his family.
Mike was a man of positive influence to all those who knew him. He loved, mentored, taught, and cared for many who came to him for help. He never gave up trying to encourage others to do what they could to make the world a better place. He always had a hilarious one-liner and a beer to share with you and loved to laugh! Mike fought hard and loved deeply, he will be greatly missed. Gone, but never forgotten!
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Theodore Phillips & Helen Czech; brothers John (Justine) Phillips & Jim Phillips; and sister Rita Waletski. He is survived by his sisters Mary Jane (Bill) Kilby of Excelsior, MN and Judy Phillips (Cecil Ranney) of Kodiak, AK; brother-in-law Jim Waletski of Chanhassen, MN; sister-in-law Anita Phillips of Lewisville, TX; wife Lanette Phillips of Copper Center, AK; son Daniel Phillips of Wasilla, AK; daughter Colleen (Kollin) Chase of Copper Center, AK; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held for Mike on July 19, 2025, at 2pm at the Phillips residence in Copper Center, AK. All are welcome, and the family encourages you to bring stories to share about Mike, either written or to share orally.