Charles Phillip Gore,85, of Centralia, Kansas a loving husband, father, grandfather and lifelong educator passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City.

Phil was born on July 1, 1935 in Elida, New Mexico to Charles Floyd and Cubie Ridgway Gore.  He attended and graduated from Clovis High School in New Mexico; where he was a member of the 1951 State Basketball Championship Team.  He accepted a baseball scholarship to Howard County Junior College; and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Eastern New Mexico University.

Phil married Mary McMahon on December 28, 1960 in Clarkton, Missouri after a whirlwind romance. They were happily married for 59 years and had two children together. He taught and coached in Farmington, New Mexico and Durango, Colorado. He was employed by the Colorado State Department of Education and was the Director of the East Central BOCES in Limon, Colorado.  Before his retirement, he served as the Extended Studies Director at Adams State College.

Phil touched many lives through interactions with his family, his students and his fellow colleagues—he was a relentless learner. He was a natural teacher and he truly loved the education field; dedicating 45 years to being an educator and administrator.

Phil served in the New Mexico Army National Guard.  He liked reading, fishing, golfing, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Denver Broncos, and watching all sorts of sports on television.   He never turned down ice cream or coconut crème pie. He and his wife retired to Centralia, Kansas to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He enjoyed again living in a small town and became a huge Centralia Panther’s Fan.

He is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law John Schmitz.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Lisa Schmitz of Centralia; his son Jeffrey (Sonny) Gore of Centralia; his grandchildren, Eric (Candice) Schmitz of Centralia, Holly (Brian) Wempe of Pawnee City, Nebraska, Emily (Nathan) Combs of Eatonville, Washington, Jared Schmitz of Centralia, Hollis Gore of Hanover, Maryland, Jason Gore and Isaac Gore of Centralia; and great-grandchildren, Breanna and Jayce Schmitz, and Abbie and Easton Wempe.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:30 PM on Thursday, September 10th at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, Kansas.  A private burial will be held Friday morning at Roots Cemetery.  

Memorials will be designated at a later date to benefit education in some way.

 Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .