I received a call this morning from Kathleen Granderson that her husband Phil Granderson had passed away peacefully in his sleep from heart failure. 

Phil was a new friend to me as I had only known him for a few short years.  During that time he was a wonderful inspiration to my model building and flying endeavors.   

Over the thanksgiving holiday I was in the Bay Area and was able to visit.  We spent a couple of hours sitting in his model shop.  Listening to Phil tell stories while looking at his flying art is a memory I will keep forever. 

Kathleen asked that I post this and forward any subsequent messages to her.

Respectfully
Tim Just

I first met Phil at a NATs long ago, not even sure which one.  More recently we chatted about electric stunters, chatted again last summer.  Always enjoyed his gentle good humor and enthusiasm.  I will miss him dearly.  God Bless & God Speed.

This is devastating news. Phil was an utterly unique individual, incredibly creative and talented, and one of my favorite people in the world. I don't have any more words.

     Brett

Sorry to hear He will be sadly miss as we been friends for a long time.  Hope and comfort to his family . with all of Gods blessings <><

I was privileged to know Phil and be able to play model airplanes with him.
My sympathies to Kathleen and all who knew him.
Derek

Among other things, Phil was on the USA 1980 FAI Team.
He came in 3rd place, winning the bronze medal and was the USA's first successful combat flyer in FAI competition.

I had met Phil when I lived in California in the late 60's.  Knew him then as a competitive combat flyer.  Then, at the first PAMPA Nats, as the ED, I was doing the appearance judging.  He had entered a combat ship with some wheels somehow attached.  We made him put his AMA number on so he used a magic marker and had to rework it to make the 1" dimension.  We joked about that over the ensuing years.  He did not hesitate to make his opinions known and he was not wrong.  We all recognized his building, finishing and flying skills as some of the best we have been privileged to see.  The relationship between Phil and Kathleen was positive and totally a pleasure to observe. I am deeply sorry for his passing.  He will be missed.

Keith

 I never met Phil but figured out a long time ago that wherever his name popped up it would be worth taking note. Another seemingly obvious thing was how respected and admired he and his contributions were in our hobby, and justified. I'm really only familiar with his involvement in Stunt, where his building and design skills were incredible and also widely admired. Always original, tasteful, and beautifully done. Definitely a big loss to our community, my sincere condolences to all friends and family.

Enjoyed meeting Phil flying combat at the Nats Howard took me to as a teen (Lake Charles about 1974.) He was the type of competitor that had the skills, drive and creativity to represent as a world class champion.  In addition, it was great to see the diversity Phil brought as an African American.

Peter 

I met Phil once. It was at the NATs. He was running to see one of Dan Banjock's jets fly. The Mig. An aluminum scale bird that flamed through the fuselage as well as out the tail. Nearly sundown. Almost night. "Ecstasy, ecstasy," he was yelling. Memorable. Unique.

I'm shocked and dismayed. Phil was one of those guys that I'd expected to live forever. Legendary & a great guy. My sympathies and condolences to his family and close friends.  Steve

I can't remember when I met Phil for the first time.  Either late 70's or early 80's and most likely at the Nats.  The pylon racing guys would always end up at the Combat circles or some of them would end up at pylon.  They were pretty similar events when you think about it.  Plenty of carnage and killer competition.  I can remember Phil trading barbs with my late caller Jim Shinohara.  They got on well, and had Phil expressed an interest in flying pylon racers, we would have happily given him whatever he needed to be a competitor.  He had the right attitude to be a racer, and one to be a great combat flier as all here know.  The event wouldn't have mattered, he was good at whatever he undertook.

Other than occasionally seeing him at the Nats or maybe a trade show, I really didn't know him well like most of the rest of you, but he was the type that once you met him, you became instant friends.  When auto paint became a supply issue in California some years ago, he would call me as I could buy all the evil paint he wanted here in Nevada, and I was glad to send it over.  I lost track of Phil for awhile, and then got back in touch with him after searching for some info on this forum when he responded to one of my posts.  It was good to rekindle our friendship once again.  He told me of his illness, and at about the same time I was just finishing cancer treatment myself, so we had some notes to compare.  His ordeal was far tougher than mine, and sadly left him unable to fly as I know he still wanted to. 

When my friend Tim Just became interested in CLPA, I managed to hook him up with Phil who was about the only guy I knew who had the knowledge that Tim needed.  Phil bent over backwards for Tim after he figured out that Tim was willing to put in the work to be a good competitor.  Tim spent a lot of time talking with Phil, and flying, and flying, and flying and hitting the local contests in Socal where he quickly did well.  My last conversation with Phil was right after Tim had come back from a contest and still wound up tight.  I told Phil he had created a monster, and he got a good chuckle out of my comment.  I think it made him feel better at a time when he was pretty down.  I'm grateful that they hit it off so well, much to the benefit of both. 

Phil had a good run, and it ended way too soon.

Adios my friend, until we meet again.

Dave

 Remember late into the wee early am chats at the 69 and 72 NATS.
 Phil designed the "Tarantula" combat ship.
I later dubbed him "Tarantula Phil" which he got a kick out of.
 R.I.P.

I'm truly sorry to hear about Phil's passing.
Simply put, Phil was one cool dude.

Steve

Can anyone provide me/us with a newspaper obituary for Phil?  I tried my best to find one on the internet with no luck.

Thank you.

Linheart