Philip 'Phil' Lux was born in Flint, Michigan, on December 15, 1928 and passed on May 9, 2026. His family, mother, father, and older sister, Irene, moved to Elkhart, Indiana in 1931. His father passed away shortly after, and his mother later married Edward F. Lux, who adopted Irene and Philip.
Philip graduated from Elkhart High School in 1947 and was just completing his first year at Indiana University when his father died in May of 1948. He returned to I.U. for his sophomore year and soon realized it was very difficult to remain in college while helping his mother run the family business of manufacturing and distributing chemical specialties and self-wringing sponge mops. After much discussion with his mother and completing his second year at I.U., she agreed that he could remain home and run the business even though he was very young at only 20.
Things were going well, and in February 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Farr. Phil was determined to grow the business sales and add new products. He was not afraid to try new ideas and take chances. He started advertising on that new medium called “Television.” By 1960, major changes had taken place. Phil had bought acreage and built a new factory in Elkhart’s new East Side industrial park. The company had developed 26 home care products and a line of 16 colors of aerosol paint being marketed mostly in supermarkets on standalone displays called “LuxKo Home Care Centers.”
The decade of the 50’s were productive in other ways too. Their family grew with the addition of Kimberly (who preceded him in death), Sharon, and David.
In 1963, a life-changing event occurred. Recognizing that the RV Industry was becoming a booming and dominant industry in the Elkhart area, Phil started a new business sewing cushions for RVs in a small building with 3 employees. He soon realized that he had a tiger by the tail. He expanded into making tents for camping trailers and pioneered in developing roll-up awnings for RVs. In his endeavor, Phil received a couple of patents for his creative new ideas. The sewing business was growing so fast that in the decade from 1963 to 1973, Lux Co. had at least one plant expansion per year for the 10-year period and grew to 4 plants in Indiana, Michigan, and one in Canada. By 1973, Lux Co. had 275 employees.
In early 1974, Tom Corson, chairman and CEO of Coachmen Industries, contacted Phil and said Coachmen was now a public company and he could see dramatic growth ahead. He wanted Lux Co to be a part of Coachmen, and Phil became a senior executive in Coachmen, helping him to grow the company.
They agreed to terms and in the fall of 1974, Lux Co was merged into Coachmen, and Phil became senior Vice President of the four parts and supply companies that were part of Coachmen. He was a member of the board of directors for Coachmen as well. In 1974, when Phil joined Coachmen, the sales were $50 million, and 4 years later, sales were $225 million.
In 1976, Phil’s wife, Donna, passed away.
During these years, Phil served on the Board of several area companies and many local community and charitable organizations He was president of the YMCA when they raised $3.5 million and worked with the YWCA to build a new building at the convergence of the Elkhart and St. Joe rivers in downtown Elkhart. For many years, he served in several charitable organizations and was also a trustee of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
By the early 1980’s, Coachmen Industries was a New York Stock Exchange Company and one of the three largest RV companies in the World and a major modular home manufacturer. In 1985, Phil Lux was named President and Vice Chairman of the company. Fortune magazine published that Coachmen had become a Fortune 500 company, having achieved the rank of 463rd largest company in America based on sales. As if that wasn’t enough, Phil Lux found a soul mate and married Jan Bedore that year. From his marriage, his family grew and became prosperous. Along with his wife, Jeannette Lux, he is also survived by his stepchildren, Carla and Carol. His grandchildren are Philp J, Steven Bradley, Haley, Lauryn, Sarah, Christopher, Melinda, Renae, Joshua, Andrew, and Danielle.
Phil retired from active management of the company in January of 1992. In 1997, he was inducted into the RV, MH Hall of Fame. Phil remained a board member till 2007 but continued to make a positive impact on his community for many years after his retirement. He will forever be remembered for his strong leadership skills, for his kindness, and generosity to the community.
Lion Phil joined the Elkhart Lions Club in 1949 and served as President in 1962-63 when it was the largest Lions Club in the state of Indiana. He received a Melvin Jones Fellowship from Lions Club International. He was a member for 76 years. His stepfather, Edward F. Lux, was also a member of the Elkhart Lions Club and served as president in 1942-43.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 226 W Lexington Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516. A Lions service will be held immediately prior to the funeral service at 2 p.m., officiated by Rev. Terri Peterson. Lions are requested to be at the church by 1:45 pm. Cremation will follow services at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. in Elkhart. Phil will later be laid to rest in the Columbarium that he helped build at St. John’s Episcopal Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. John’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1155, Elkhart, IN 46515.
