Nathan Greenwood Philpott, 63, passed away at home in Tryon on Aug. 24, 2011.
Nate was born Oct. 4 in Wichita, Kan. He grew up in Sheffield Lake, Ohio, where he met his wife of 43 years, Judith. Nate graduated from Miami University in Ohio.
Shortly after they were married, Nate and Jude moved to Michigan, eventually settling in Milford, Mich., where they raised two sons, Todd and Tyler.
In Michigan, Nate was a successful business owner. When he wasn’t working (which everyone knows was rare!), Nate played an integral figure in youth sports, coaching his sons’ baseball teams and supporting youth sports programs in Michigan over the years.
After the family moved to North Carolina, Nate started the Polk County Youth Football Association. Through Nate’s dedication and the support of the community, what began as a small town-versus-town program nearly 15 years ago has grown into a competitive football league, well-recognized in the state of North Carolina.
Throughout his life, Nate gladly gave of himself. He touched so many lives through his work, his involvement in youth sports, his membership at the Mill Spring First Baptist Church, and his unyielding willingness to help wherever and whenever it was needed in the community.
He was a devoted husband; a loving and supportive father and grandfather; a dependable and caring brother and uncle and a loyal friend.
Nate’s compassion, guidance and unique positivity will be sorely missed.
In addition to his wife, Jude, and sons, Todd (Kelly) and Tyler (Elizabeth), Nate is survived by two grandsons, Tyler and Alec. He is also survived by his sister, Rozanne; niece, Rebecca; and nephew, Steve Blatt. Nate has a very large and loving family; more than we can list here. Nate was predeceased by his brother, Edward, his mother, Mary Jane Smith, his step-father, Meade Smith, and his father, Alex Philpott.
A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Foothills Community Church, 2720 Landrum Road, Columbus. This will be a casual gathering where friends and family can celebrate Nate and the many ways he has affected so many lives.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Nate’s name to the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills (www.hocf.org).
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.