Edwin Murray "Hot" Phillips

Edwin Murray “Hot” Phillips, 98, of New Madrid, MO, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. He was a man known by many, and by many names:

Buddy/Bud: By his late parents William and Dorothy Phillips, as well as his three siblings who preceded him in death – Dick, Anne, and Dorothy.

Hot: By his beloved wife and better half of over 60 years, Ruth.

Daddy: By his five children – Edwin (Susan), Linda (the late Mark “Sput”), Mark (Theresa), Susan (Brigid), and Laurie (Don).

Poppy: By his six grandchildren – Lauren, Ashley (Greg), Luke, Betsy (Doug), Adam, and Kevin, and three great-grandchildren – Hudson, Elsie, and Parker.

Hot was born in New Madrid, MO in 1927. While growing up in New Madrid, he attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School, with his favorite pastime being playing football with his friends and older brother, Dick. The brothers would always play on opposite teams, and Dick never missed an opportunity to tackle him, although Hot did occasionally manage to get past him to score a touchdown (and was sure to keep running well past the goal post so Dick couldn’t catch him). Hot had a special bond with his grandfather, Pappy, and had fond memories of working with him on the farm every summer. To get to the farm, Hot would take a four-hour wagon ride accompanied by two mules (one of which was his pet mule, Ollie) to Donaldson Point, beside the Mississippi River, where they would stay for weeks with nothing more than a battery-operated radio. The farm had no electricity or running water, so they used candlelight and bathed in the Mighty Mississippi. He loved every minute of it and was always saddened when summer would come to an end. 

When Hot reached high school, he attended Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, MS and later Chaminade in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated with Honors in 1945. During his time at Chaminade, he was an impressive boxer, earning the championship title in his weight class. While in St. Louis, he was a proud member of the “Knothole Gang,” whereby he and his friends would take in a free Cardinals game every Saturday by peering through the fence surrounding Old Busch Stadium (although Hot would later admit the best seat in the house was his recliner in his own living room).

Hot was a proud veteran, joining the United States Army in 1946. He served as the company clerk at Battalion Headquarters before being assigned overseas. He traveled by ship for weeks, departing from San Francisco to the Philippines, before finally arriving in Korea. He was stationed near Seoul, Korea, and during that time, he visited Japan, as well as Shanghai, China. He served overseas up until his honorable discharge in 1947. He recalled the most breathtaking sight was seeing the Golden Gate Bridge dazzling under the night sky after his long voyage home. Once back in the U.S., he opted for a one-way bus ticket to take him back to Missouri, which he eagerly chose over an airplane to take in the sights (and he always appreciated a nice drive, whether that be around town or across country).

After returning home in 1947, Hot attended the University of Missouri, majoring in pre-law. He lived on campus and even held a part-time job working construction for four hours after class each day. Never one to particularly like school, Hot decided to leave Mizzou after getting a job with Proctor and Gamble traveling the country handing out free samples of Tide door-to-door. He then returned home to New Madrid in 1949, where he worked for the Buckeye Oil Company in Ristine.

He would soon prove himself wrong about the most breathtaking sight being the Golden Gate Bridge, after meeting the love of his life, Ruth, on a blind date in 1950. He picked her up in his yellow Model-A Ford with blue fenders, complete with a rumble seat, and it was truly love at first sight. They secretly eloped three months later and lived separately until they were married in the summer of 1951 before all their family and friends in a joyous ceremony.

After their marriage, Hot continued working at the Buckeye Oil Company and they had their first child, Edwin. The following year, Hot was promoted within the company and in fatherhood, having their second child, Linda. A few years later, he recalled having a particularly good streak of luck, winning a brand-new Cadillac at the Portageville Picnic and having his third child, Mark, that same summer. Hot’s good fortune continued, being blessed with another child, Susan, that next year, and his last child, Laurie, a few years later. He loved spending time with his children, especially golfing and fishing, and recalled fond memories assisting them with a local newspaper route, serving as commissioner for the local youth leagues, and coaching little league baseball.

Always the entrepreneur, Hot operated and owned numerous businesses within the community. He worked at the local cotton gin for over a decade and operated the Dixie Theater for four years beginning in 1969, which is still located on Main Street. In 1975, he began farming, and soon thereafter opened the local Sport Shop, which he owned and operated until 1981. He later purchased a gas station on Highway 61, Par-Gas, which he owned and operated until 1990. Hot always enjoyed working around people and recalled those years to be some of his most enjoyable.

Hot led his life by putting everyone’s needs above his own. He loved his family fiercely and prioritized them always, whether he was filling someone’s car with gas, attending sporting events, mowing someone’s yard, or handling school pick-ups. Hot’s involvement as a grandparent even earned him the Very Important (Grand)Parent (“VIP”) Award from the Catholic School in 1991, which continues to be proudly displayed in his home to this day. Hot’s favorite times were always when his family was together, especially during holidays, and he enjoyed taking family vacations in his trusty motor home. Hot was a member of the Catholic Church in New Madrid and attended mass every Saturday (always sitting in the same spot in the last row on the left).

To say that Hot lived selflessly is an understatement, and much of his advice included the Golden Rule, “Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you.” He strived to treat people with kindness, respect, and common decency. His sincerity did not go unnoticed. As a son, he was respectful and loving. As a brother, he was trustworthy. As a husband, he treasured the love of his life and wife, Ruth. As a father, he offered endless support and dedication. As a grandfather, his actions inspired and his presence was unwavering. As a great-grandfather, his adoration spoke volumes.

In 2002, one of his grandchildren received a writing assignment by her high school English instructor, Riley Bock, to interview a local hero and write a biography. To her, Hot was just that, checking all the boxes for the assignment. During the interview, Hot was asked how he wanted to be remembered. He simply replied, “A man who was still active at 100 years.” Although Hot didn’t quite make it to 100, his 98 years on this Earth would certainly be described as active—yet so much more. Simply put, his love was profound. His illuminating spirit brightened the world on even the darkest days, and we will look for even the smallest sign every day to remember him. The lessons he taught will span generations and his legacy will live on with his family he so lovingly cherished.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Church in New Madrid, MO.

Pallbearers will be Mike Alford, Luke Phillips, Adam Phillips, Kevin Phillips, Edgar (“Boo Boo”) Pipkin, and Robert (“Wub”) Riley, Jr.

Memorial Contributions may be made in honor of E.M. Phillips to the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in New Madrid.