Andrew "Andy" Phillips Sr.

Andrew Bass “Andy” Phillips Sr. died peacefully in the early morning hours of June 29, 2026. Born January 3, 1953, in Houston, Texas, to Robert J. Phillips Sr., and Mary Jo (Bass) Phillips, originally of Tyler, Texas, the family moved back to Tyler when Andy was 5. Andy grew up immersed in the natural world, along with his brother, Jim, roaming the woods and waters of East Texas and joining their parents on frequent hunting trips to the Hill Country and overseas. Those early years instilled a lifelong passion in Andy for wild places and the wildlife that lived there. A graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Andy attended Schreiner University in Kerrville, where he met the love of his life, Margaret “Maggie” (Perkins) Phillips. They married on June 2, 1973, in Maggie’s hometown of Cameron, Texas, and were together in life until the day he passed. Upon graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in criminal justice, Andy attended the Texas DPS Academy in Austin. Graduating the academy and serving the State of Texas as a DPS Trooper based in Andrews and Odessa was one of Andy’s proudest accomplishments. Eventually, Andy and Maggie moved to Kerrville, where they would spend the next three decades raising their family while Andy built one of the biggest and most respected custom home building businesses in the Hill Country. Along with Maggie, Andy’s pride and joy were his children, Mary Katherine “Katie” Phillips (Harrison), Andrew Bass Phillips Jr., and five grandchildren. Katie married Conor Harrison in 2004, Andrew married Jennifer Stegall in 2009, and grandchildren Marley Elizabeth Harrison (16), Andrew Bass Phillips III (16), Charlotte Rose Phillips (12), Boone Hawkins Harrison (11), and William Dailey Phillips (9), all followed, along with the most fitting grandfather name ever — Babu. Babu spent many hot afternoons at ballfields cheering on his grandkids and enjoyed watching them excel at their various endeavors, however blind he felt the referees or judges were in his always unbiased opinion. He loved hosting a party, good food, a cocktail and red wine, floating in a pool, and teaching people to shoot. Andy’s other passion in life was in the pursuit of big game around the globe. From a 1966 safari to Mozambique through a 2008 Namibian family safari in celebration of Maggie overcoming breast cancer, Andy traveled internationally on more than 40 safaris and hunting trips, along the way amassing one of the most impressive trophy collections in the world. Along with his hunting exploits, Andy’s contribution to the conservation of global species had few equals. He gave his time and resources to innumerable organizations so his grandchildren could enjoy the same things he enjoyed in the natural world as a child. Andy was proudly a life member of Dallas Safari Club, Safari Club International, Game COIN, National Rifle Association, American Trophy Hunters Association, Ducks Unlimited, FNAWS, Texas Trophy Hunters, Operation Game Thief, and Shikar Safari Club, of which he was a Past President and Vice President and Editor of KYH Magazine, along with many others. Later in life, Andy and Maggie moved back to East Texas, where they were active in their church, continuing a lifelong theme of Andy volunteering in leadership roles of their local congregation. A man of strong faith, strengthened tremendously by a life-changing Walk to Emmaus in the mid 90s, Andy was assured of where he was headed next. Andy is survived by his wife Maggie; children Katie (Conor), and Andrew (Jennifer); grandchildren Marley, Drew, Charlotte, Boone, and Will; brother RJ Phillips (Nancy); along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was met at the entrance to heaven by a pack of Jack Russell terriers, who were all thrilled to see their Babu.

Andrew "Andy" Phillips Sr.

January 3, 1953 - June 29, 2026