Obituary of Philip B. Enkema Pharm.D.

Philip B. Enkema, Pharm.D., 74, of Kingsport went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 13, 2013 at Holston Manor. Phil was one of four children born to the late Robert and Carolyn Enkema. He grew up in Elizabethton, Tennessee graduating from Elizabethton High School in 1957. He attended ETSU and David Lipscomb College and graduated from the UT College of Pharmacy in 1961. He returned to East Tennessee and established Bloomindale Drugs in Kingsport until his retirement in 1997. Phil was an Elder, Deacon and Charter member of the Northeast Church of Christ. A soft-spoken gentle man, Phil was a pioneering crusader for his family, his community and his profession. For almost forty years before his retirement, he utilized his pharmacy to bring exemplary pharmaceutical care to his community. Dr. Enkema served as an elder and deacon for his church, helped organize a Bible camp for children, provided outstanding support for an orphaned children's home and helped construct a church building for mission work. He served as a member of the Ruritan Club and the Kingsport Planning commission. Dr. Enkema's leadership in the profession of Pharmacy in Tennessee had been exemplary, as well. Phil was appointed by Governor Lamar Alexander to a six year term on the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy in 1985, having served as Board President in 1990. He was also President of the First District Pharmaceutical Association and was that organization's Pharmacist of the Year in 1991 and was awarded Bowl of Hygeia Community Service Award in 1991. He was elected president of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association in 1993. Phil's contributions to his profession earned him much recognition and many honors. Phil also served as President of the UT College of Pharmacy Alumni Association, was the College's Outstanding Alumnus in 1995, served on the Board of Governors of the UT National Alumni Association and the Board of the Tri-City Bank and Trust. In addition to his professional and community accomplishments, Phil was a licensed pilot and a master woodworker. Survivors include his loving wife, Gaye Brown Enkema of the home; two daughters, Becky Musgrave & husband David of Chattanooga, Betsy Shepherd & husband Dennis of Franklin, TN; two sons, Philip Enkema & wife Tracy of Pine Hurst, NC, Robert Eenkema & wife Sarah of Kingsport; step-father, Frank Chapo of Johnson City; seven grandchildren, Gretchen, Pieter, Allison, Megan, Luke, Sadie and Heather; his sister, Carrie Harkey & husband Kevin of Johnson City; two brothers, Bob Enkema & wife Barbara of Nashville, Jim Enkema & wife Aiping of Roan Mountain, TN, along with several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Northeast Church of Christ, 2217 Beechnut Drive, Kingsport with Clifford Dobbs, Minister and Tim Hall, Minister, officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eddie Rowe, Carl Cornett and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. (Private Graveside services will be at East Lawn Memorial Park) Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Alzheimer's Association, 207 N. Boone Street, Suite 1500, Johnson City, TN 37604. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Holston Manor 500 wing staff and to Sarah Eenkema as caregiver for the past four years in the nursing home. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving Dr. Philip Enkema's family.