Phillip Henry Dommenge, 83, of Conroe, Texas, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 7th, 2019 with his family by his side. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. He was born August 6th, 1935 in Hackensack, New Jersey to Philip and Gertrude Dommenge.
Phillip always lived near the coast and loved being on the water. Much of his childhood was spent on the Jersey Shore at Ship Bottom Beach. Phillip graduated from Bergen Technical High School and joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a chef from 1956 to 1962.
Phillip met the love of his life, Lois Frances May Dommenge, 55 years ago on a blind date. Even though there was a 12 year age difference between them, they quickly realized they were soulmates. They were married four years later on January 17th, 1968. Phillip and Lois moved from New Jersey to Houston before having children. In 1977 they moved to Sargent, Texas on the Gulf Coast to raise their two children. Phillip worked for the Texas Highway Department as a Bridge Tender on the Sargent Drawbridge on the Intracoastal Waterway. He loved his job because it was near the water and he could interact with the people of Sargent as they crossed the bridge. He was known for his countless friendships, happy nature, and willingness to help others.
Phillip’s CB handle was Charlie Brown and it quickly became his nickname with many people. He was well-known throughout the Sargent area as Charlie Brown. While the nickname came from the Peanuts comic strip character, it also suited Phillip from the song by The Coasters about “That Charlie Brown, He’s a Clown” because he was such a jokester, was friendlier than ever, and loved making people laugh.
Phillip loved the outdoors and was a shining example of what it meant to work hard. He spent over a decade helping with the Sargent Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service. After he retired from the Sargent Drawbridge, Phillip continued his mowing business he had started. He loved tractors and took great pride in using his large tractors to not only mow for his regular customers, but also to aid with grading the backroads in Sargent or helping people when they got stuck at the beach.
Phillip was such a strong man, he did not let a massive stroke take his life. He survived for 584 days after his stroke and lived life to the fullest as much as he could. This was all possible because of the love and support he had from his caring wife and his family. He kept a positive outlook and even though the stroke robbed him of some movement and his voice, he continued being happy, finding ways to communicate, and making the most of every moment.
Phillip was preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Gertrude Dommenge and siblings Jerry Dommenge and Faith Weirich. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Lois Dommenge, children Linda Graham and husband Robert, and Jeff Dommenge and wife Stephanie, grandchildren Mitchell Kight, Madison Kight, Chelsea Dommenge, Zachary Dommenge, and Alexis Graham, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.
A celebration of Phillip’s life will be held on Thursday, March 14th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas with a reception to follow.
If you would like to make a donation in Phillip Dommenge’s name, you may send your contribution to the Sargent Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 4008, Sargent, Texas 77404.
You are invited and encouraged to leave written tributes and memories of Phillip for the family.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
