Phillip John Charles Goeken

Phil loved two things his God and his family. All who knew him undoubtedly knew of his love for his son Philip, whether he was planning every minute of an upcoming Hyatt or Disney vacation or spending 250 nights in a tent or helping Philip with homework or with merit badge requirements, Phil was a hands-on dad. He was a loving and devoted husband who always put his family first.

Some of his happiest times were found in a tent. He loved having adventures with Philip, and appreciated the tenets of Scouting. One of his proudest dad moments was seeing his son become an Eagle Scout and knowing he had completed all of the 130 Merit Badges offered by Scouts, a feat few Scouts even attempt. One of our proudest moments was Phil earning one Scouting’s highest honors, a Live Saving Award for saving the life of a woman who stopped breathing.

Phil had a magical way of making people laugh, even as he cancer progressed. Many who knew him were surprised to find he had fought the disease for 5 years because of his positive attitude and undying faith. When FDA approved chemotherapies were not working, he bravely enlisted in clinical trials, in some cases being the first human to try the medications, all the while hoping to help find a cure for the dreaded disease.

He is survived by his loving wife, Melody, and his Eagle Scout / swimmer / best friend son, Philip and adoring cocker spaniel, Bella, who devotedly slept on his leg every night. Other survivors include his devoted mother Phyllis Schwope and stepfather Bob Schwope, step brother Ryan Schwope, his wife Ora, sister Sherri Leslie, and his dad, Hank Goeken as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

He leaves a behind a tremendous community of friends, many Eagle, Boy and Cub Scouts and his brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Phil’s honor to the following organizations he supported:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Child, one of the few hospitals where children are treated for serious illnesses such as cancer, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Stjude.org

Respite Care of San Antonio, the only emergency shelter in Texas equipped to help children who are medically fragile or have special needs. RespitecareSA.org

Shriner’s Hospital for Children, providing care for children in areas of orthopedics, burn care, spinal cord injury, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Shrinershospitalforchildren.org

Pall Bearers

Steve Buckley

Chuck Goeken

Jimmy Hasslocher

Craig Pfeiffer

Greg Rosas

Cody Wilkerson

Michael Wilkes

Brent Yarbrough

Honorary Pall Bearers

Hank Goeken

Fred Reyna

Rod Reyna

Robert Schwope

Ryan Schwope

The Family Thanks the Following:

John Bloodsworth

Siobhain Anders Buckley & Dr. Steven Buckley

Dr. Christopher Finke, Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Jimmy and Tracie Hasslocher

Michelle Healey

Dr. Steven Kalter and his staff at the START Center for Cancer Care

Anita Snyder Rosas & Greg Rosas

Season’s Hospice; Dr. Shankar Sanka, and Angels Jackie, Kaitlyn, Paula and Ida

Cody Wilkerson

Jane Yarbrough and Brent Yarbrough