Emmett I. McPhail of Lompoc passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in Santa Barbara at the age of 88.

Emmett was born September 19, 1918 to Anna and Emmett McPhail in Dalhart, Texas. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and was stationed in San Diego where, as machinist, he made parts for and repaired the P38 Fighter Bomber during World War II. After the war he worked on other aircraft including the B36 and B47 strategic bombers. Emmett came to Lompoc in 1959 where he was employed as a civil service quality control inspector for the aerospace industry, working closely with the U.S. Air Force and NASA at Vandenberg Air Force Base. There he worked in the Atlas and Titan programs, and with the launching of weather satellites. He retired in 1972.

As a skilled machinist, Emmett spent his free time making fully functioning miniature steam engines and cannons. Known as a perfectionist, he also built and repaired all types of furniture. Emmett was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lompoc and the Lompoc and Santa Ynez Masonic Lodge #262 as a 32ed Degree Master Mason.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hazel McPhail of Lompoc; sons, Emmett "Bert" McPhail of Sprague River, Oregon and Larry B. McPhail of Williams, Arizona; a grandson and his wife, Brady Scott and Wendi McPhail of Simi Valley; his great grandsons, Cody Elijah McPhail and Jeremy Lapper; his niece, Mary Anna Barnhill of Atlanta, Georgia, and his nephew David Matthews of Hiram, Georgia. His sister Joan Matthews preceded him in death.

There will be a graveside service on Monday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m. in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. The Masonic Lodge and the U.S. Navy will perform burial rites. The memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lompoc. Reverend Julia Leeth will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.

Emmett is a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to all.