Howard Dale Phillips

Indianapolis - Howard Dale Phillips, 64, passed away Friday, July 19, 2019. He was born November 17, 1954 in Indianapolis. He was a unique individual who will be missed by all who knew him.

Howard was well known and loved in the Indianapolis area where he lived his entire life. He was a musician, conga player, and lead singer/front man for several bands, The Jubal Band, Howard and the Perfect Alibi (both original and the reboot), and the latest The Bee-Cydes. He also sat in a few times with the Pure Gold band. Howard was also known as the Life of the Party and the Funny Guy at Piccadilly's Night Club in the 1980's. Howard was well known as the owner of Howard's Hard To Find Records store. In more recent years, he will be remembered for selling records at record shows and online, as well as being a collector of vinyl and memorabilia that was important to him. One of Howard's favorite claims to fame was appearing as The Bogey Man on the Sammy Terry late night television show in the mid 80's.

One of Howard's friends, Rick Wilkerson said it best. "Howard was truly unique. His love for music is well known, but his passion for what was in the grooves or on tape or disc was the magic for him. Not the rarity, or demand, or how much he could get for it. With that in mind, he seemed to get the greatest delight in uniting music with those who wanted it rather than counting the money from the transaction. He was more record purist than record seller. He was the Santa Claus of music, because you never knew what wonderful surprises he'd put under your tree." Howard also had a serious side and enjoyed gospel music. Howard was proud to have been able to sing gospel songs a few times in recent years at his childhood church.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Dale Phillips; mother, Beverly Dunlap Nulf; and his partner of approximately 30 years, Julie Roberts Hardwick. Howard was never legally married, nor did he have children, but he did help raise Julie's child, Jeannie Hodgen, and loved her like she was his own. Howard is survived by his brother, Michael Dale Phillips; half-sisters: Dianne Margle, Melissa Bermudez, and Lisa Patrick Cooper; uncle, Howard W. Phillips; aunt, Violet Phillips Bastin; and several cousins. Howard also left behind a current girlfriend and longtime friend throughout the years, Cathy Quarles Perry, who deserves a special mention because she put the light back in Howard's eyes this past year.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10 am at his childhood church, The Church of God of Prophecy, 4301 Hoyt Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203. A second celebration of Howard's life will be conducted Saturday, August 17, 2019, at The Dog House, 18 Whittington Drive, Brownsburg, IN 46112. Doors will open at 4 pm and live music will begin at 5 pm.

Howard would not want his friends and loved ones to grieve. He would have said VERT! PARTY!!! No doubt Howard will be with us in spirit, and smiling because we sent him on "his way".

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