Phil Tevis

Phil Tevis, 77, of Berryton, passed away at home of natural causes on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. He was born December 24, 1948 in Topeka, the son of Warren and Eura M. (Woodard) Tevis.

Phil grew up in Topeka and attended Crestview Elementary and Capper Junior High before graduating from Topeka West High School in 1966. He began his career as a sheet metal worker, working for Stevenson and Kansas Sheet Metal. During the late 1970s, Phil served as a union apprenticeship instructor, helping train the next generation of skilled tradesmen. In 1983, Phil opened his own welding shop, operating it for two decades until 2003. After closing the shop, he joined Shawnee Heights High School, where he worked until his retirement in 2013.

Phil had many interests throughout his life. In high school, he played in a garage band, and he maintained a lifelong love of fast cars. He was a member of the Kansas City Corvette Club and a devoted Kansas City Royals fan who proudly believed his season tickets offered the best view in the house. Phil also enjoyed golf and belonged to men’s golf clubs in Topeka and in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where he and Rhonda spent time at their winter home. He was a longtime member of Seabrook United Church of Christ until it joined with First Congregational Church.

For 57 years, Phil was married to the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Rhonda Harmon. She survives. Other survivors include his son, Brian Tevis of Topeka, grandsons, Jonah and Finley Tevis Gallaway of Topeka, sister, Karen (Leland) Elliott of Montrose, Colorado, brother, Randall (Pam) Tevis, niece and goddaughter, Lisa (Thomas) Fulbright, all of Topeka, his niece, Sara (Nathan) Schriner of Olathe, Kansas, nephews, Brett Elliott of Pacific Grove, California, Bradley Elliott of Cedar City, Utah, Cory Hadl of Superior, Colorado and their families.

Phil was preceded by his parents, Warren and Murrel Tevis, his sister, Constance (Wilfred) Hadl, his nephew, Darren Hadl and his niece, Lori Elliott.

A Celebration of Phil's Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church. Private inurnment will take place in Pleasant Hill Cemetery southeast of Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604 or to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with service arrangements.

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