Neil Phillips

Arthur Neil Phillips, beloved husband, father, opa, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the age of 70 at his home in Graham, TX. Neil, a man whose kindness, generosity, and unwavering support touched the lives of all who knew him, had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel valued and seen.

Neil was born on November 28, 1954, in Olney, Texas, to M.J. and Jean Phillips. He enjoyed a wonderful childhood filled with laughter, adventure, and a close bond with his siblings: Ann, Josh, and Jane. A gifted athlete, Neil excelled in baseball and football during his school years, attending Newcastle High School before graduating from Olney High School in 1973. He went on to attend Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering in 1977, and remained a proud Red Raider throughout his life. After graduation, Neil returned to Newcastle, Texas, to join his father and brother in founding Three P Operating Company, a family business in the oil and gas industry.

Neil married Weta Mince in 1977, and together they raised three children: Griffin, Jordan, and Meagan. Over the years, they made many lasting memories—traveling to Mexico, scuba diving, snow skiing, enjoying summers at Possum Kingdom Lake, and following the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team. Their summers and weekends were often spent on their family farm, where Neil taught his children the value of hard work, caring for the land, and responsibility—lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime.

In 2011, Neil married Pam Routon and became a devoted stepfather to Pam’s two children, Kirsten and Alexa, offering them the same love and encouragement he gave his own. From playing volleyball in the driveway, planting massive gardens in the backyard, and spending time at the lake, Neil was a cornerstone in their lives. Inseparable, Neil and Pam shared many years of love and partnership, their lives enriched by their many shared passions and countless cherished memories.

Neil was a constant source of encouragement for his children and stepchildren. His love for his family extended to his seven grandchildren, whom he adored and cherished as their Opa. His grandchildren — Nora, Anna, and Thomas, Melissa, Jack Arthur, Kendall, and Liam — brought him great joy, and he loved watching them grow and flourish.

Known for his quirky intelligence, Neil was a natural problem solver, never encountering a challenge he couldn’t tackle. Whether it was inventing and building an air conditioning system for the lake house or ambitiously crafting his own airboat from scratch, he had a remarkable knack for engineering solutions with creativity and determination.

Neil was deeply committed to his faith and was a long standing member of the First Presbyterian Church. In recent years, he has been attending the First United Methodist Church in Graham, TX. 

A steady source of wisdom to all who knew him, Neil’s ability to listen, empathize, and offer advice made him a role model to many, young and old. Neil's legacy of love, kindness, and selflessness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Phillips; his children, Griffin (Dawn) Phillips, Jordan (Barbara) Phillips, and Meagan (Joe) Mayol; his step-daughters, Kirsten (Austyn) Cooper, and Alexa Brugere; his grandchildren, Nora, Anna, and Thomas Phillips, Melissa Phillips, Jack Arthur Mayol, Kendall and Liam Cooper; his brother, Josh (Cindy) Phillips; his sisters, Ann Price, and Jane Phillips; his mother-in-law, Erkie Routon; brother-in-law, Randy Routon; his sister-in-law, Karen Craig; his nieces, Emily (Kevin) Lubojacky and Tracy Jones; his nephews, Stephen (Heather) Price, Shalor (Melissa) Craig, Joshua Thurman, and Kennet Thurman; as well as many great nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends who will miss him dearly.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents, M.J. and Jean Phillips; his nephews, Chandler Craig and Coby Jones; his brother-in-laws, Bill Price and Bill Craig; and his father-in-law, David Routon.

A memorial service celebrating Neil’s life will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church in Graham, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Neil's memory to a charity of your choice, the Humane Society of Graham, or the American Cancer Society.