Educators and students are mourning the death of Ewing Middle School Assistant Principal Tim Phillips, who died suddenly Sunday.

Phillips, 32, passed away the day before Cherokee County students began the 2009-2010 school year. School officials said Phillips became ill Sunday afternoon on his way home to Gaffney after he attended a birthday celebration for a relative in Charleston.

Medical tests are being done to determine the cause of death.

"We don't know all the details at this point," Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Bill James said. "We just know this has put the opening of school under a dark light."

Phillips was about to start his third year as Ewing Middle assistant principal. He was a science teacher at Gaffney and Ewing middle schools and previously worked as a teacher at Blacksburg Elementary.

Phillips is survived by his wife, Michelle, and son Caleb.

Phillips was an active member of Crestview Baptist Church in Gaffney where he served as a deacon, played bass for the church band and drove the church bus. He was a member of the contemporary Christian band "Anchored."

"His faith was evident in his work ethic and his approach in dealing with students, co-workers and parents. He had a very positive outlook on life, an outstanding personality, a great sense of humor, and was a man of integrity," James said. "Mr. Phillips was an excellent teacher and administrator and was highly respected by students, faculty, staff and parents. He was very committed to making an impact in his community."

Former administrator Amanda Burnette was among the many residents saddened by the loss of Phillips, who was on the teaching staff when Burnette was principal at Blacksburg Elementary and Ewing Middle.

"I first met Tim when he interviewed for a teaching position at Blacksburg Elementary. Upon first seeing him walk into the room, I remember thinking, 'He can't work with these small, elementary kids. He's too big. He might scare them,'" said Burnette, who now works for the state Department of Education. "But even though Tim was a towering 6 -4 or better, he was a gentle soul. It didn't take but just a few minutes of talking to him to realize what a warm and caring person he was and how compassionate he was with children."

Phillips was the first staff member to join Burnette when she was hired to be Ewing Middle principal.

"Tim was loyal and hard working and a person that I could always count on no matter what needed to be done at the school," Burnette said. "Just having known Tim Phillips made me a better person, and his passing is a great loss to the school children of Cherokee County. He will be sorely missed."