John Dacus Philips' Obituary
John D. Philips, 85 years of age, left this earth for his eternal home on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
John D. was born on April 28, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas to the late John and Ruby Philips. He was the youngest of three children. John D. graduated from Thomas Jefferson Highschool where he met his sweetheart Mimi Middleton their freshman year. John D. was active in Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver awards. His summers were spent at Indian Creek Boy Scout camp in Ingram, Texas, where he fell in love with the hill country. After high school, he attended the University of Texas. On December 27, 1961, he married Mimi and they both graduated from UT in May of 1962. His career started in the truck leasing business in Lubbock and soon he transferred to the Dallas area in 1963. In 1968, he moved into the construction business building houses, apartments and hotels. After years of traveling for work, John D. decided to start his own residential real estate company John D. Philips Realty in North Dallas so he could have more family time.
John D. loved cars, fixing anything, hosting friends, and telling stories. He enjoyed being outside either on the lake or at his ranch north of Greenville. He loved being on the tractor, making hay and taking care of the ranch, but what he loved most was people. He never met a stranger, and once you were a friend you were a friend for life. He and Mimi were a part of the Jefferson reunion committee and met with their classmates almost yearly for 65 years. They found a church home wherever they went, were active members over the years, and the people in their Sunday school classes became lifelong friends. John D.’s closest friends were the men he met at scout camp all those years ago—a group of about 10 men who remained the best of friends and made a point to gather their families together annually for over 60 years for fun and fellowship.
When John D. began winding down his business, he and Mimi sold their home in Plano and moved to their ranch north of Greenville. They purchased their first RV and started traveling all across America, making more friends and wonderful memories along the way. In 2005, they purchased land and a house in Mountain Home, Texas, fulfilling their dream of retiring to the hill country. They split their time between the ranch, Mountain Home, and traveling in the RV, always making time for church, friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Bette Center. He is survived by his wife Mimi; sister, Elaine Stephens; sons, Shane Philips (Melissa), Vance Philips (Charlotte); daughter, Betsy Philips Westerman (Matt); grandchildren, Riley Philips, Reese Philips (Sydney), Regan Philips (Emily), Shae Philips McCaffrey (Tom), Trevor Philips, Grace Westerman Shiller (Ben), Hope Westerman; great grandchildren, Cohen Philips, Crew Philips, and Victoria Shiller; and his nieces, nephews and friends.
John D. will be laid to rest at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
On September 13, 2025, at 1:00pm there will be a Celebration of Life service followed by a meal and fellowship at Hidden Springs of McKinney located at 6421 McKinney Ranch Pkwy, McKinney Texas 75070.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial donation to Trinity Baptist Church, in Kerrville, Texas, directed toward the disaster relief fund to help with ongoing rebuilding of the Hill Country that John D. so loved.
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