Philip Guy Shead, 84, was born in Curranville, KS, on Nov. 1, 1940, to Elza B. and Mary Ann (Jenkins) Shead. He departed this life on Monday, April 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He attended Curranville and Foxtown Union Grade schools and graduated from Mulberry High School in 1958. He was Senior Class President and played football and basketball during his high school years. At a very young age he learned how to repair vehicles. He used his mechanical skills throughout his life, always working on an old classic car.
Most of his working career was spent in the grocery business. He started as a clerk and through the years became a store manager, trainer, revived failing grocery stores, and was part owner of a store in Topeka. He retired from Walmart.
He married Lynne Carlyle in 1960, and they had three children: Rebecca Lynne, Philip Aaron and Michael Lee. They divorced.
He was honorably discharged after serving in the Army as an EOD Specialist in Vietnam and earning a Bronze Star. After his discharge from the service, he married Geraldine Kadash and adopted her three young sons, Frank, Joe and Ray. They later divorced. On November 1, 1985, he married Doris Miller and blended her three children, Kimberly, Christine and David, into his family.
He was a member of the Mulberry United Presbyterian Church in his youth and was attending Fellowship Bible Church in Topeka at his death. He was a big fan of KU basketball and the KC Chiefs and was a member of the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Doris; sons Aaron, Frank, Ray and David; sisters Leola Stephenson, Crystal Barnard, Goldie Benoist, Montcella Snook, Velma Taney, and Barbara Harris; brothers Clarence and William Shead.
He is survived by daughters Rebecca Shead, Kimberly Goodman, Christine Garrett; sons Michael and Joe Shead and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Joan (Shead) Hamilton, and Marilyn (Shead) (Charles) Soash and brother Jerry (Dee) Shead.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home with military honors and interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, KS, In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Legion or Midland Care would be appreciated.
