John Philip Knight-Sheen

He passed away peacefully in his home on May 8th, 2023, at the age of 87.

Philip was the loving husband of District Judge Carol R. Haberman Knight-Sheen, whom he married in 2001 but predeceased him in 2008. He is predeceased by his parents, Hilda and David Sheen, and his two brothers, Peter Sheen and Michael Sheen. He is also predeceased by his step-children R.A. & Pat Haberman, and Howard Haberman.

He is survived by his former wife of almost 30 years, Ernestine C. Carrola, and their two children. Philip Christopher Knight-Sheen, his wife Niamh, and their three children Cohen, Orla, and Hugo. Peter M. H. Knight-Sheen, his wife, Dr. Megan Kunze, and their three children, Amalie, Burkeley, and Elsie. Sister-in-law Donna Sheen, Numerous Nephews, Nieces, Great Nephews, and Great Nieces in England and Canada. And the Haberman family Danny Haberman, Jeannie Collier, Kristen Haberman, and many great-grandchildren.

J. Philip Knight-Sheen was born in Liverpool, England, in 1935. His family was evacuated at the height of the Nazi bombing to Chester and then relocated to a small Welsh Village where his parents owned a Pub. In 1955, Philip entered nursing school and graduated as a registered nurse in 1958. He took post-graduate courses in tropical diseases and pediatrics at a London hospital. During his "off" time, Philip gained membership in the IBM (International Brotherhood of Magicians) and could be seen practicing his skills in Picadilly Square. Knight-Sheen also worked as a special police constable on the London force and as a part-time waiter at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

In 1960, Philip was recruited by John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas, to work with children in their Pediatric Burn Unit. In 1961, he experienced Hurricane Carla, which all but wiped out Galveston. He was then transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, to work as an operating room nurse. During his tenure, he expanded his responsibilities to include being an in-service instructor, the hospital's newspaper editor, and eventually moving into administration. He was at Parkland Hospital in 1963 when the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy took place. In 1965 he met and married Ernestine Carolla from San Antonio, and student at Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas.

Philip then accepted a position with Giegy Pharmaceuticals in Mankato, Minnesota, using his medical background to help him become a pharmaceutical representative and travel throughout the state.

While in Minnesota, Philip became interested in film and photography. He was accepted and attended the Brooks Institute for Photography & Visual Arts in Santa Barbara, California, for training in making documentary films. The school is affiliated with one of the major film studios, and he was fortunate to have worked on several well-known feature films and TV productions, such as Planet of the Apes and the Carol Burnet Show. Once complete, he and his family moved to San Antonio, Texas, to be close to his extended family.

On settling in San Antonio during the Worlds Fair of 1968, he opened a movie studio called Picadilly Films, where he made many documentaries and commercials for major brands, such as Green Giant. He also attended Trinity University in San Antonio and obtained a degree in Film & Television, graduating with a 4.0. He sold Picadilly Films in 1974.

It was in 1974 that Philip opened MEDREC, an international recruiting company for nurses. He had tremendous success recruiting nurses worldwide to hospitals throughout Texas. His rapid success led him to sell MEDREC to National Medical Enterprises as its international recruitment company, where he remained as the director for many years. Philip weathered the ups and downs of healthcare and ended up getting MEDREC back in 1993 when he re-opened the company as a contracting agency for Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapists. In 2006 he sold the majority of MEDREC to his son Peter.

In 1978 Philip became an American Citizen. He took his pledge seriously and gave back to his community in so many ways. He was on the board and served as Executive Director of the Texas Physical Therapy Foundation for several years. Knight-Sheen served in many capacities on the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals board in Provo, Utah. He taught at Trinity University as a resident artist and part-time at Incarnate Word College and Catholic Jr. High School. A member of St. Thomas Church since 1976, he served on the vestry and was a frequent usher. He was a life member of the Texas Transportation Museum as he loved to travel by train and did so on many of the world's most famous railways.

Raised as a Master Mason in Mankato Lodge # 12 Minnesota in 1963, he was an endowed member of Davy Crocket Lodge #1225, the Scottish Rite, York Rite College, Chapter and Council & Commandery #7 and was the Master of Merit Lodge 727 in 2003-04 and as its Treasurer thereafter. In addition, he was a member of "Tranquility Lodge" (On the moon!) The Order of Quetzalcoatl, Council 335, Allied Masonic Degrees, and the Night Masons. He also received the Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor.

In 2002 he served as Potentate of Alzafar Shrine Center, represented the Center as Imperial representative for three years, and was elected to the Board member of the Galveston Shrine Hospital, eventually becoming the Chairman of the Research Committee. He was also active in the Order of St. Thomas of Aeon, the Directors Staff, Highlanders, Hillbillys, Honor Guard, The International Order of Past Potentates, and the golf unit. In 2006 he became the District Deputy Grand Master for District 39B of the Grand Lodge of Texas. For more than 20 years, as his job required him to travel around the world recruiting medical staff, he took the opportunity to visit numerous Masonic Lodges in various foreign countries.

His hobbies included reading, philately (stamp collecting), model trains, which he had an extensive collection, and model making. Before his passing, he was informed that N-Scale Magazine will be featuring Phil’s model railway in an upcoming issue.

Philip often remarked how lucky he was to have immigrated to America and lived the American Dream. He was thankful he married a prominent and well-loved Judge in Carol Haberman.

Knight-Sheen was incredibly proud of his two sons, Chris, who spent his life in the military defending the American way of life, and Peter, who picked up his entrepreneurial spirit. He also loved his grandchildren Amalie, Burkeley, Cohen, Elsie, Orla, and Hugo and often shared stories about them with all that would listen. He was a great friend to many and will be greatly missed by all.

The funeral with Masonic services will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 12:30 pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1416 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232. Graveside service to be held following at Holy Cross Cemetery 17501 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266.