Thomas "Tommy" Hardy Phillips

Thomas Hardy (Tommy) Phillips died Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the age of 92 after a brief illness. He was born on Riverside Drive in Los Angeles, California, April 9, 1925, to Ernest Alfred and Maebelle Phillips (Weddle). He was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother, Ralph Alfred (R.A.), a younger brother, William Mix (Billy), a sister, Mayrene Hearn, and a daughter-in-law, Patricia Phillips.
Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife, Ruth Kathryn Phillips (Bulsterbaum), a daughter, Dianne Phillips Capell and son-in-law, Matthew H. (Matt) Capell, and a son, Michael Thomas Phillips. He was the proud grandfather of Shana Gensler, Larry Bob Phillips, Michael David Phillips, and Louis Phillip Capell; two great-granddaughters, Alyssa Wilson and Shelby Wilson; and one great-great granddaughter, Brynlee. His memory will also be cherished by his many extended family members and friends.
Tommy registered for the Army on his birthday, 1943. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, 9th Field Artillery. His unit was shipped out to North Africa and ultimately Naples, Italy where they made the landing at Anzio/Nettuno on January 22, 1944. Their unit went on to help liberate France at Lyons; then on to Komar on the Rhine. They crossed the Rhine River into Germany in January, 1945, where they remained until May. The war and his role in it made a lasting impression on Tommy. Love for country and all who serve to secure and maintain its freedoms were to become a life-long passion which he proudly shared with others. He returned home in December, 1945, where he found his high school sweetheart waiting with open arms.
After their marriage in Klondike, Texas, Tommy and Ruth settled in Pampa, Texas, where they lived for 27 years. He worked for the Post Office in Pampa as a substitute carrier, Supervisor of Mail, an interim Assistant Postmaster, and a Rural Route Carrier. He was an active member of First Baptist Church-serving as a deacon and adult Sunday School teacher, member of the Everyman Bible Class, and the choir. In 1973, he and Ruth moved to Amarillo where he continued his service in the Post Office until his retirement in 1988. As a member of Paramount Baptist Church, he served as a deacon, president of the King's Men Sunday School, and choir member for many years.
Mr. Phillips will be honored with a Military Burial on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 11:00 am in Memory Gardens of Amarillo. There will be a Memorial Celebration of his life in the afternoon at 2:00 pm at Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Thomas H. Phillips Scholarship Fund at Paramount Baptist Church, BSA Hospice of the Southwest, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Amarillo, TX.