Harry Vidal

Harry Edward Vidal was born April 16, 1940 in Stafford, CT. He passed away March 14, 2015 in Plano, TX surrounded by family. Harry was raised in Old Saybrook, CT by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. After he graduated high school in 1957, he attended Central Connecticut State University. In 1961 he entered the Air Force and was stationed in Fargo, ND. He was honorably discharged as a Senior Air Advisor in 1967.

Over the next four years he finished his Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science at East Texas State University. During that time he was also head football coach in Westminster, TX, football and basketball coach in Whitewright, TX, and head basketball and athletic director in Ector, TX. He finished his coaching career with a combined record of 67-11 and three district championships.

Harry became the Director of Parks and Recreation in Sherman, TX in 1971 and stayed for ten years. On July 29, 1977 he married his wife of 34 years, Marsha JoLene Dublin Phillips. Not only did he gain a wife, but also a son and daughter who he loved and raised as his own. In 1981, his career took them to Plano where he was Executive Director of Plano Sports Authority. Once out of sports, Harry became a sales representative for McKesson Corp. where he earned several awards.

Harry officially retired in 2008, and began volunteering at the Plano Senior Center where he made many friends. While there, he was honored with the “Above and Beyond Award” is 2011 for his outstanding dedication and volunteer contributions. Harry became an active member at The Heights Baptist Church and truly enjoyed the members of his Open Bible Adult Bible Fellowship class. Harry was a friendly man with a fun sense of humor who spent much of his time volunteering. He most enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities and rarely missed any kind of sports game or performance they were in.

Harry is survived by his daughter, Sharon Phillips Ratcliff, and her husband Brian, of Parker, TX and his son Kenneth Phillips, and his wife Marie, of Whitewright, TX. Harry is also survived by his grandsons, Christian, Alex, and Andrew Ratcliff, and granddaughters Victoria and Kate Phillips. Harry also leaves behind his sister-in-law Rhonda Dublin Baker of Plano, and nephew Brian Baker, his wife Melissa, and their son Shane, of Plano, TX. He is preceded in death by his foster parents, his in-laws, Hensley and Helen Dublin, and his wife, Marsha Vidal.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to honor his sister-in-law who is a survivor. Donations may be made at www.lls.org/ntx or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Attn: Carol Withers, 8111 LBJ Frwy. Ste. 425, Dallas, TX 75251

There will be a graveside service at 10am on Thursday, March 19th at Vittitoe Cemetery in Whitewright, TX and a memorial service at 2pm at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, TX