Jon D. ‘Col’ Phillips

ELKHORN — Jon D. “Col” Phillips, 81, died May 31, 2022, at home in Elkhorn.

Memorial services were held June 7, at Christ Community Church, Omaha.

Jon was born March 4, 1941, on a farm near Wausa. He grew up knowing the value of hard work. Jon learned the cattle business from his grandfather, Leonard “Skinny” Pfeil. He had 20 years of cattle auctioneering experience, 30- plus years in trading commodities and 25-plus years in farm broadcasting.

Jon received “Top Broker” designation from the CME, “Outstanding Service Award” from the South Dakota Livestock Markets Association and other industry accolades. He was auctioneer for the three largest livestock auction markets in the U.S. – Norfolk, Yankton, S.D., and Sioux City, Iowa. He was known as Colonel Jon, an honor given to veteran auctioneers.

Jon also reported markets for KMNS, KOLK and WNAX. In 2006, he started his own radio network, the Price Discovery Report. He retired from that in October of 2021.

Many in Wausa will remember Jon as a lifeguard and swim coach, as well as playing on basketball, baseball and football teams. One of his favorite stories was that he got a hit off St. Louis Cardinals’ star pitcher Bob Gibson in town team baseball league.

Another of Jon’s favorite activities was fishing. “Fish Camp” was located along the shore of Waubay Lake in South Dakota. He spent many years hosting fishermen from all over.

Jon is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Smithey Phillips; sons, J.D. (Cathy), David (Ann), Peter, Craig Bryne and Kirk Bryne (Erika); sisters, Alice Robbins and Mary Johns (Mark); nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by mother, Harriet Pfeil Cunningham, and father, Frank Maurice Phillips (pen name, Frank O’Rourke).

Cards may be sent to Mary Phillips at 1002 S. 188th Court, Elkhorn, NE 68022.