Gary Dean Phillips Sr., 75, Orange

Gary Dean Phillips Sr., 75, of Orange, Texas, passed away on August 11th, 2023, at home surrounded by his family after a 7-month battle with cancer.

Gary was born on January 21st, 1948, in Norman, Oklahoma, and later moved to Texas with his mother.

After graduating from Allen Military Academy, Gary enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1966. An injury resulted in his honorable discharge from the Marines that same year. Gary worked as an underwater welder in the Livingston shipyard but settled into a lifelong career as a pipe fitter and proud member of the Pipe Fitters Local 195. For most of his life, Gary was an avid fisherman. Upon retirement, Gary spent many days fishing with his wife, Tommie.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Jay Phillips, his mother, Era Mae Phillips, and his sister-in-law Charlotte Verdine.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Tommie Elaine Phillips; sons Gary Dean Phillips Jr. of Orange, James Phillips and wife Joyce of Beaumont, California; Gary Lynn Phillips and his wife Genevieve of Georgetown; daughters Kristi Suzanne Phillips of Victoria, and Krista Lanae Phillips of Orange. Gary is also survived by his mother-in-law Sissy Hunt of Orange, sister-in-law Betty Paul of Orange, cousin Jerri Cormier of Orange, and Lucille Phillips of Victoria.

Services will be held at the Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, on August 19, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., with burial services to follow at Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Orange, Texas. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on August 19, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas.

In place of flowers, the family requests that friends consider living or flowering plants that can be distributed to family members in Gary's memory.

Gary's family wishes to thank those who knew and loved him. If you were his friend, you know he loved you.

We also want to thank the Heart to Heart Hospice members, Mary and Jennifer, who cared for Gary in his final days.