Adam Burke Phillips passed away on February 15, 2024, at the age of 52, in Millcreek,
Utah. Born on May 17th, 1971, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Adam was raised in the Lower
Avenues of Salt Lake City. He married Lisa on October 4th, 1999. Adam's happiest
times and accomplishments included being an independent artist. His artistic styles
included various art mediums including painting on furniture, clothing, shoes, leather
cuff bracelets and belts. In his youth, Adam worked at Phillips Gallery making frames
and taking the time to draw.
After attending the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, Adam worked as a
chef in various restaurants in the Salt Lake Valley and cooking remained one of his life’s
passions. He really enjoyed making people laugh and putting a smile on their faces by
telling jokes. For he was known as a long-time "Joke-Master". Adam made friends
easily.
We witnessed so many times in Adam’s life when he endeavored to do the right thing
and have fun doing it. His drawings reflect that exploration. Also, Adam had a great
tattoo on his back from shoulder to shoulder in beautiful calligraphy, and it is the word
“forgiveness.” We will miss his love, wisdom, art, and follies.
He is survived by his wife Lisa, and Lisa’s daughter Taylor, who Adam loved and raised
as his own, his parents Bonnie and Denis (Denis passed away the following week),
older brother Benjamin, nephews and nieces, Aaron, Jonah, Rosie and Lily. He is
preceded in death by his grandparents Marvin and Peggy Phillips and Jane Dooly
Porter. We would like to send our gratitude to our family, friends, gallery employees and
artists who have expressed their sympathies and support. Services will be announced
at a later date.
Adam and Ben floated the salmon when they were young with my family . They were so fun to watch together . What a time to remember. Life takes us all in many directions. I have shared the great pain and suffering of the loss of my son. My love to the family. May we help others in the discovery of impermanence.
