James Burton Phillips

He graduated from Memorial High School in 1984, where he excelled in all sports. Earning his Bachelors of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, he worked as a CPA for Price Waterhouse. Jim then pursued his real passion for historical homes and craftsmanship, becoming a custom home builder in the Houston area.

Our Jim was an awesome dad. He was the best playmate -gentle, careful, playful and exciting. No one could push the swing or launch his children into the air at the swimming pool to squeals of delight like Jim could. He loved the outdoors – faithfully planting and tending to his trees and fostering the perfect environment for the deer to thrive – while accompanied by his two faithful canine companions, Poncho and Spanky. He loved the game of golf – never quite committing to play left or right handed, because he was just so very good both ways. And Jim loved the guitar, which he played skillfully without formal instruction - winning the awe and admiration of his nephews, who thought he was the coolest uncle on earth. He was a man who was dearly loved by his children, his wife, his mother and father and his family. We will dearly miss his gentle spirit, his calming presence and his faithful attention to all the things that made our family whole.

Jim is survived by his wife, Yolanda; his two precious children, Carolina (7 years) and Nelson (5 years); his loving parents, Grace and Carroll Phillips; his brother, John Phillips and his wife, Stephanie, and their two boys, Matthew and Ryan; his sister, Carol Ann and many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 3rd of January, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay in Houston, where Dr. Jim Jackson is to officiate.

Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment.

Your thoughts and prayers are welcome and very much appreciated by our family.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Jim’s memory may be directed to the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Dr., Reston, VA, 20190-5362; to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Dr., College Station, TX, 77840; or to the Chapelwood United Methodist Church Foundation, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX, 77024.