Well-known Wrangell resident Vern Phillips passed away Feb. 17, 2026, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Harbor Light Church in Wrangell. A celebration of life gathering will follow at the Elks Lodge.
Vernon L. Phillips was born to Orden and Nadine Phillips in Medford, Oregon, on March 14, 1952. The family moved to Wrangell, where Vern attended school and graduated in 1971. He married Ann Buness on June 16, 1972, in the First Presbyterian Church. They had two sons, Dustin and Scott Phillips. The boys and their families were a great source of joy and support in Vern’s last years, particularly after Ann passed in 2019.
Vern wore many hats to make his way in the early years of his marriage to Ann: He commercially fished for crab, shrimp, salmon and halibut. He and his brother Leland also salvaged beach timber from time to time. In 1985, he and Ann, his brother Leland and sister-in-law Arlene, and mother Nadine, started Sea Level Seafoods. The business grew into a successful seafood plant that processed crab, salmon, shrimp and halibut.
His prowess at sportcatching king salmon was impressive and well known. He would often make the rounds about town, distributing his catch to those in need of a piece of fresh king salmon.
Vern also enjoyed deer and moose hunting, derby fishing, cribbage, golfing, solving the world’s problems over coffee with friends, and especially spending time with his grandchildren and his pug dog Bernie. Vern and Ann enjoyed running the Stikine River and vacationing in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, with their sons.
Vern was an active community volunteer all his life, supporting the Wrangell Golf Club and Elks Lodge, as well as serving as a volunteer firefighter for many years.
With friend Robin Taylor, Vern reestablished the Stikine Sportsmen Association annual game dinner. With the help and donations of the community, the fundraiser has been held annually since 1980. The proceeds of the event benefit many local causes including Wrangell Search and Rescue, the Irene Ingle Public Library summer reading program, and vocational scholarships.
Vern is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Phillips; parents Nadine and Orden Phillips; and sister Cheri Hamley.
He is survived by son Dustin Phillips and his wife Kayla; son Scott Phillips and his partner Andrea; grandchildren Hailey, Michael, Bryson and Jackson, all of Wrangell; brothers Ron Phillips of Wasilla and Leland Phillips of Kingston, Idaho, and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donate to The Stikine Sportsmen Association, PO Box 943, Wrangell AK 99929.
