Philip Austin Denton

Philip “Phil” Austin Denton, 78, of Houston, TX, graduated to heaven on January 12, 2017. Above all else, Phil was a man of strong Christian faith, confident that all of his mistakes were completely forgiven by our graceful God the moment he accepted God’s free gift of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s grace and provision set him free from the bondage of sin, not his own good deeds. Though we will greatly miss him, we are comforted most by our knowledge that Phil has left this broken world to forever rejoice in his loving Creator’s presence.

Phil and his twin brother, William “Bill,” were born on September 7, 1938 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Lawrence “Elmer” and Ruby Denton, joining their older brother, John. The family moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1942. Phil became an Eagle Scout in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957, serving his country for 8 years in both active and reserve capacities. He attended Central Missouri State Teachers’ College, where he was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Economics in 1963. He married his sweetheart, Mary Ann Denton (Olsson) in 1971. Son, Brian Thomas Denton, was born in 1973, and daughter, Julie Ann Browning, was born in 1979.

Phil was a valued and loyal employee, working as a financial analyst in the oil industry. Surviving many mergers and moving twice, first to Tulsa, OK and then to Houston, TX, he worked for Skelly, Getty, Texaco, Star Enterprise, Equiva and Shell Oil Companies. He retired from Shell in 2000 as a Wholesale Credit Manager after 30 years of diligent service.

Though a man of few words, Phil had a playful personality and was a joy to be near. He was a devoted husband to Mary Ann, who he considered to be “the only one for him,” for 45 blessed years. Phil was also a loving father to his children, Brian and Julie, and an adoring grandfather to Hannah, Natalie, Katie and David. His character was steadfast, always modeling faithfulness and integrity.

Phil is survived by his beloved bride, Mary Ann Denton; son, Brian T. Denton, and his wife, Jennifer “Jenni,” and their daughters, Hannah and Natalie; daughter, Julie Ann Browning, and her husband, Andrew, and their children, Katherine “Katie” and David; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Phil is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Ruby, and brothers, Bill and John.

A memorial service will be held at Berachah Church, 2815 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 11 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated at Compassion International or Joslin Diabetes Center.

Our family wishes to thank Houston Hospice for the fantastic care they provided to Phil and our family, especially his angelic nurses Amy and Karla.