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James Wesley Phillips, Sr.
(Died October 30, 2010)
James Wesley “Jim” Phillips, Sr., 76, passed away at his home in Freeport surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, October 30, 2010.
Jim was born on November 29, 1933 to Henry and Mary Phillips in DeKalb, Texas. From an early age, Jim excelled in sports and became the first person selected to the All-State Football Team from DeKalb High School. After briefly playing football for the US Navy, Jim was drafted by the US Marine Corp and bravely fought for our county in the Korean War. Jim was seriously wounded while in the service and spent 18 months in the US Naval Hospital in California. He was Honorably Discharged in 1954 and received the National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal with Star; United Nations Service Medal; Korean PUC and Purple Heart for his bravery and outstanding service to our country.
Although Jim’s injuries left him permanently disabled, his spirit was never defeated and he became more determined than ever to get an education and channel his love of sports into coaching and teaching young adults. Jim Received a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and began a career with Brazosport Independent School District as a teacher and coach. He later earned a certificate as an Administrative Specialist in Public Administration from The University of Texas. He continued his career with BISD and later went on to serve as the Principal of Brazosport High School for many years. During his tenure at Brazosport he was loved by all and helped shape the lives of many young people. He will be remembered for going above and beyond to help all students reach their maximum potential while fostering pride in themselves, their school, and their community.
Jim retired from public education in 1990 to pursue a second career in politics. He served on the Freeport City Council for many years and also as the Mayor of Freeport. He was elected to serve as Brazoria County Judge in 1990 and proudly represented the citizens of the entire county for four years. He loved his job as Judge and felt it a tremendous honor and privilege to represent Brazoria County. Although he cared deeply for all of the citizens of the county, he had a special place in his heart for Freeport and its citizens. When many others chose to move away, Jim refused to leave the city he loved and its schools and people. He remained active in politics up until recently and many were amazed at his sharp mind and wisdom even in the late stages of his illness.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Dell Phillips; his three children Tracie Leigh Phillips of Lake Jackson, James Wesley Phillips, Jr. of Freeport and Amy Claire Phillips of Lake Jackson; four grandchildren Clinton Michael Truitt and wife Banu of Williston, North Dakota, Christopher Lee Truitt of Georgetown, Texas, Colton Wyatt Phillips of Freeport and Therron Joseph King of Lake Jackson and one great granddaughter, Reagan Leigh Truitt of Georgetown, Texas. He is also survived by two brothers Dee Phillips and wife Marilyn of Lamesa, Texas and Neal Phillips and wife Sally of New Boston, Texas; two sisters Doris Kirkland and husband Wesley of Breckenridge, Texas and Evaline Sisson of Lamesa, Texas and by numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.
A Rosary for Jim will be held at 8:00p.m. on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Freeport with visitation to follow.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 10:00a.m. also at St. Mary’s.
Burial will take place at Walker Cemetery in Redland, Texas on Thursday at 2:00p.m.
Pallbearers will be H.P. “Bubba” Rape, W.H. “Willie” Cervenka, Terry Starnes, Pete Giles, Johnny Ray Roberts, W.F. Gonzales, Fred Bolton, and Doug Boone. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ray Langston, John Stanford, John Rice, Joe Kenneth Tyner, Lon Siddall, Ronnie Quinn, James Blackstock, Richard Rangel, Gary Beverly, Clifford Fletcher, Robert Leffingwell, Percival Beacroft, Toby Davenport and Charles Wagner.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the many thoughts and prayers which have been extended to them.
A special thanks to the Hospice Care Team of Lake Jackson and Jim’s exceptional nurses Marian and Tony.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice Care Team of Lake Jackson.
Jim Phillips dies at 76
Longtime area leader served as county judge, Freeport mayor, city councilman
FREEPORT — For a lot of people, Jim Phillips was a dedicated public servant, a community leader and someone who always did something to help out a kid.
He was more than that to his daughter, Amy Phillips.
“He was my hero,” she said. “And now he’s my angel.”
Former Brazoria County judge, Brazosport High School principal and Freeport mayor Jim Phillips, 76, died early Saturday morning in his home after a long struggle with malignant melanoma.
In the past two weeks, former Brazosport High School students have called Jim Phillips’ home asking how he was doing and wanting to talk to him.
His children discovered that Phillips did a lot small gestures for his high school students while he was principal. He once bought a mum for a student who needed it for the homecoming dance and a tuxedo for a student wanting to go to prom, his daughter Tracie Phillips said.
“We knew growing up our dad impacted a lot of people,” Tracie Phillips said. “We didn’t realize how far-reaching that was until the past two weeks.”
Jim Phillips leaves behind his wife, Dell, three children, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
His longtime friend and neighbor, Brazoria County Sheriff Charles Wagner said the county has lost a major icon who left an indelible mark on the community he dearly loved.
“He was willing to do what he thought was right,” Wagner said. “He was a person who would help anybody.”
Jim Phillips devoted his life to public service, friends said, serving one term as Brazoria County judge and spending many years on the Freeport Council and one term as mayor.
His biggest accomplishment in the four years as county judge was his push for the bonds to fund expansions at the Brazoria County Detention Center north of Angleton.
“He was the driving force,” said County Judge E.J. “Joe” King, who was sheriff when Phillips served as county judge. “When that was completed, we were able to operate all in one facility.”
Those who worked with Jim Phillips said he had a direct personality, which helped him accomplish things.
“He was easy to work with,” King said. “You would tell him what you needed, and he would try to get it done.”
Jim Phillips’ public service was driven by his passion for his community, Tracie Phillips said.
“The most important thing for him was the care and concern for Brazoria County and particularly Freeport,” she said. “If he felt something was going to benefit this city, he would stand on that principle.”
Jim Phillips became principal at Brazosport High School in 1972, a position he held until 1991. He took the helm as Brazoria County Judge the same year he left Brazosport High School.
Wagner was a student at Brazosport while Jim Phillips taught there. Wagner joined Freeport Police Department after graduating and worked with Jim Phillips, who then was named principal.
“I knew a lot of kids that spent the night on his couch when they were having problems or couldn’t go home,” Wagner said.
Jim Phillips started his political career in 1980, when he won his first spot on the Freeport City Council. In 2005, he won a term as Freeport’s mayor.
He lost re-election for mayor to Larry McDonald in 2007. In 2009, Jim Phillips won the Ward B seat and served as a mentor somewhat to McDonald until he left the council.
“Even though I was mayor, he kind of took me by the hand,” McDonald said. “I have nothing but praise for the man.”
Jim Phillips said in August it was difficult to put public service behind him.
“It’s going to be very tough to walk away after all these years,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it. Sometimes it’s a very thankless job, but it’s also a very necessary job with things that you have to do, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my time.”
When he stepped down, he suggested the council appoint Fred Bolton, a former football coach at Brazosport High School, to take his seat. Bolton accepted and hopes to do as well as his predecessor.
Jim Phillips hired Bolton as Brazosport High School’s head coach in 1990.
“Anyone trying to fill his shoes will be incapable of that task,” he said.
While on council and as mayor, Jim Phillips was a proponent for the controversial Freeport marina project. Legal battles stretched out over several years between the city and two businesses that disputed the city’s right to use eminent domain to build the marina.
The marina was important to Jim Phillips because he felt it would improve the community, said Wallace Shaw, the city’s attorney.
“It was important for him to see that through,” Shaw said.
Jim Phillips was a U.S. Marine when he was injured by mortar fire on March 3, 1953, during the Korean War. About 54 years later, Jim Phillips received the Purple Heart medal during a ceremony at the Freeport VFW Hall.
One of his former students, a major in the U.S. Air Force, handed him his medal.
Jim Phillips was a strong person who fought his illness to the end, Tracie Phillips said. He always had a strong will to recover from physical ailment, she said.
He also had two tractor accidents in the last decade, including a serious one three years ago. In that incident, the tractor ran over him twice, breaking some of his ribs and bruising him.
Jim Phillips was a physically tough person and liked people to believe he was mentally tough, too, retired Jones Creek Marshal Bubba Rape said.
“He had a big heart,” said Rape, who knew Phillips for more than 50 years. “He’d help you do anything. He was a really neat person.”
There will be a rosary and visitation for Phillips at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's.
John Tompkins is senior reporter for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.
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