May 29, 1957 - April 16, 2026

I know this is poor timing as I was hoping to see how WWIII plays out, but on Friday April 17th, I died. Don’t worry, went out on a high note as I knew my daughter would be on her way to come take out my trash. I poised myself to be found after my heart gave out. Turns out having a big heart is only good metaphorically. (No, the house isn’t for sale, sorry), I spent my childhood in the Appalachian hills of Lerona, West Virginia. I started my life by surviving polio as a child, literally walking to school in the snow, and still managed to get some form of education and graduated from high school.

My upbringing on our 100-acre farm taught me a solid foundation for how to survive off the land, but I decided it was time to see what was out there after I saw an angel’s face in the stars.

I went wanderin’ and ended up out in Nocona working at a boot factory. There I found that angel, an older fox, 10 years my senior with what some might call a ‘starter family.’

Boy, was I hooked! Shirley had four young children (Darren, Darrel, Michelle, Jackson) and I had no clue how to be a father, but I was all in.

We were married in March of 1980 and quickly she began giving me my greatest gifts in life, my kids.

My first, Mark, was born and I knew I had to offer a more stable home, so I did what any ignorant young man does and joined the Marines.

Shirley then gave me, Veronica, the light of my life. After chilling with my comrades in Japan for a while, I served my commitment, came home, and settled into civilian life in random small town neither one of us had heard of, Van.

Luckily, I was able to find good work with the local oil company, ROCO, where I spent the next 20 years learning all the moving parts from becoming a roughneck and then retired as a tool pusher.

As most mysteries go, some things you will not understand until it comes full circle. I related to that because even though I lived across town from my kids, Shirley and I didn’t raise them together, so I missed out on years of their childhoods, however, as great love stories go, I got a second chance.

In 2003, Shirley and I reconnected after receiving an invitation for our daughter’s graduation. We were married two years later, again, and I was blessed to spend the last few years of her life together and falling in love all over again.

I was beyond proud when my son decided to follow in my footsteps and join the military, becoming a true patriot and serving for our freedoms that are currently being threatened by our current administration. (Y’all have fun with that).

Until that point, I thought I had a legacy and had been given the greatest gifts, but Veronica really shook things up when she gave birth to my two favorite people on the planet, Jaden and Jensen, my grandsons and my partners in crime.

My favorite memories include teaching them about life, how to push boundaries, and give their momma a heart attack.

Although I never really traveled the world, I’ve lived a million lives through my books. I’ve had dinner with kings, held dragons, smoked pipes with hobbits, saved the maiden and had shoot outs with outlaws at the O.K. Corral.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting my hands dirty, sowing seeds of heirloom vegetables, fruiting trees and fragrant flowers, never minding the wasps and bees.

I loved every single conversation I held with ‘The Boys’ and always entertained Veronica’s newest conspiracy theory.

I lived my life the cowboy way and never skipped a chance to sip some whiskey, drink a dark beer, or talk conspiracies always ending the conversation with ‘kinda makes ya wonder, don’t it?’

Along with ALL my children and grandsons, I leave my brothers Gary and Eddie and a host of friends to reminisce about my shenanigans.

Pappy Van Winkle will probably feel my absence most and to them I am sorry for leaving without a proper goodbye, but don’t fret for me, I’ve reunited with my Mama and Daddy, Margie and Lucine Phillips; my sisters, Nancy and Shirley Phillips Lamie; and my beloved wife, Shirley Jeans Phillips. (Not to be confused with my sister, Shirley, it ain’t like that).

I’m pretty impressed with my new address. I’m finally moving into a gated community. My family found me a nice new spot with quiet neighbors, next to that angel that I saw in the stars.

I hope y’all were able to make it out to my housewarming party Friday April 24 at Union Chapel Cemetery; the kids hossted a celebration of life immediately after graveside services at Agapo 20833 FM 1253, Lindale.

In lieu of flowers: bring a book, tomato plant or tree for my family to plant.

With all my LOVE, I part you with this: “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished; that will be the beginning.” – Louis L’Amour.