Thomas Raymond Philips, born on Nov 2, 1944, in Beaumont, departed this Earthly Life on June 4, 2026, at Parkview on Hollybrook in Longview. He graduated Silsbee High School in 1962 and enlisted into the United States Army in December of 1962. He completed Basic Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Advanced Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was an Armored Intelligence Specialist assigned to the 40th Armored Division, 1st Cavalry. He was deployed in South Korea for thirteen months. After Korea, he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas as a Range Sergeant. While serving in the military, he proposed to his High School Sweetheart, Lynette Witte and they were married in September of 1964. On December 18, 1965, he received an Honorable Discharge He was then employed with Beaumont PD from March 1966-March 1977. He served as a Dispatcher, Jailer, Patrolman, and Desk Sergeant. From 1972-1977, he served as a Detective Sergeant. While employed at Beaumont PD, he also attended Lamar University, and pursued studies in Law Enforcement, NCIC Policies, Formats, and Criminal Histories.

In April of 1977, they moved to Toledo Bend Lake where he and Lynette bought a mom-and-pop business, lovingly known as, “The Store”. In 1989, he started working at the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff, Blan Greer. He worked as a Dispatcher, Jailer, Chief Jailer, and Deputy Sheriff, and was the first K-9 Officer in Sabine County. He worked as a K-9 Officer with his dog, Chico, until he was elected Sheriff of Sabine County in January of 1997. He served as Sheriff from January 1997-December 2000. He left the Sherriff’s Office in January of 2001, and then later served as a Court Security Officer at the Jack Brooks Federal Building until he retired in 2016.

Above all things in this life, he loved The Lord, and he loved His Family. He is survived by his children; Chris Philips (Mona Philips) of Gilmer, Lauri Horton (Cory Clark) of Hemphill, and Brian Philips (Kendra Philips) of West Monroe, LA. Brother, Dickie Marsh (Carole Marsh) of Beaumont, and sister, Patricia Griffin of Houston. He was “Cowpaw” to his grandchildren who are, Karleigh Horton (Robert Gore) of Hemphill, and Logan Horton (Holly Horton) of Hemphill, and “Grandpa” to, Sarah Philips (Alec Sims) and Zachary Philips (Isabella Endsley) of Gilmer, Houston Philips, Patrick “Trip” Claiborne, and Emma Kate Philips all of West Monroe, LA. His great grandchildren are, Everleigh Grace Johnson, Coen Thomas Horton, Jaxson Robert Paul Gore, and Emma Grace Gore, all of Hemphill.

He is preceded in Death by: His loving wife of 62 years, Lynette “Lyn” Philips, his beloved mother and father, Katherine Thompson and Dalcorte “Tommy” Thompson.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street in Hemphill.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Floyd Wright officiating.