Thomas Phillips

Thomas Perry Phillips, age 77, died on January 16th, 2022, in Canyon, TX. While Tom was never found without a cowboy hat, a crisply starched pair of Wranglers, and a Western shirt to match, he wore many other hats throughout his vibrant life. He was a father, a grandfather, a storyteller; however, it was his greatest pleasure to love and serve his dear wife of 55 years, Pamela Phillips (née Smith).

In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by his daughter GiNé Salazar and husband Robert; son Kael Phillips and wife Traci; daughter Saralyn Phillips; and son Rance Phillips and wife Amanda. He is survived also by his grandchildren Stacee Ramirez and husband Edgar; Pate, Quade, Karstyn, and Zara Salazar; and Jackson and Hadley Phillips.

Thomas Perry Phillips was born on October 19^th, 1944 in Big Spring, TX, to parents Ted and Perry Lou Phillips. Of his mother Perry Lou, he often recalled her loving, gentle soul and striking blue eyes, never failing to remind his grandchildren that she was known by all as “the prettiest woman in West Texas”. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Ted Phillips and Perry Lou Reddoch, his brothers Doyle and David Phillips, his sister Luan Phillips, and his grandsons Thomas Kellum Phillips and Caleb Rance Phillips.

From a young age, Tom was a man of many talents. At 12 years old, he began working summers for Mr. Walker on Harvard Street in Big Spring, riding horses like a full-grown man. Going out to the pasture early in the morning, he treated and worked cattle, mended fences, burned rattle snake dens–anything asked of him. Once he was old enough, Tom would take off anywhere and everywhere adventure called, from the Big Thompson Canyon in Colorado to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. He held a lifelong fascination for Texan and American history, large ranches in West Texas, maps of all kinds, the lay of any given piece of land, and the oilfield. Much of his life, Tom worked in the oilfield and was both an exceptional salesman and a shrewd negotiator. He always felt at home driving dusty county roads and immersing himself in the land and cultures whose histories he knew by heart.

Tom’s greatest journey would begin November 12^th, 1965, the day he met Pamela Kay Smith. They married August 6^th, 1966 in Hobbs, NM and have been inseparable every day since. Tom was a man of service, and Pam never pumped gas, opened doors, or crossed a parking lot because he took care of every last detail. A gentleman to his core, he was concerned always for Pam’s well-being before his own, and everyone he met knew it. On introducing Tom to anybody, Pam often would say, “We’ve been married 55 years and I’ve never had enough of him, and I never will”, and she meant it. Big Daddy and Sweetie, as both children and grandchildren would come to call Tom and Pam, established a remarkable legacy and a loving family who will treasure the memory of him, his countless wild stories, and his enduring commitment to Sweetie.

The story of Tom’s life is one that belongs in great leatherbound volumes, like those histories of Texas and the American West he often would pore over. He was a principled and self-sacrificing Christian man who thought only of others, especially his family.

He will be remembered as a loving servant, a student of history, and a rugged adventurer. Now, Tom is sitting not too far away, laughing with his mama and enjoying an eternity of West Texas sunsets.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 pm on January 29th at The Welch Reception Center of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Big Spring, TX, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Tom’s life. Flowers and donations can be sent to Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory at 906 S Gregg Street, Big Spring, TX 79720.