Larry Brown Phillips, III, passed away unexpectedly on the 2nd of November 2017 in Houston, Texas. Larry was born in Marshall, Texas, on the 24th of May 1939, the elder son of Rubye Elaine Gray and Larry Brown Phillips, Jr. He graduated in 1957 from C. E. Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was a star running back on the football team. He graduated from Tulane University where he majored in chemistry and played intramural football. While there, Larry was approached to play varsity football, but he turned it down to focus on his studies. After college graduation, Larry met Micaela “Mikki” Alsa Pellettieri. They fell in love and married on April 16, 1966, and enjoyed a happy life together even during her prolonged illness until her death in 2010. Lucky in love, he met Julie Shaw Hodges. They married in 2011 and shared six wonderful years together.

Larry began his career as a chemist at Tenneco. When Larry decided it was time to go back to school, he first pursued a business degree while working at an upscale men’s clothing shop on Post Oak Boulevard--an experience that dramatically improved his sense of style.  Encouraged by an uncle to pursue law, Larry graduated from the University of Houston Law School and later joined the firm of Andrews Kurth, where he became a partner specializing in intellectual property law litigation. For many years, he was their sole intellectual property attorney at Andrews Kurth until he retired. One of the most notable cases he worked on was the United States Supreme Court case to determine the domicile of Howard Hughes. After retirement, Larry quickly found a new vocation as a fisherman.

Larry was most recently the president of TIRR Family at TIRR Foundation, whose work he championed since 2010. He personally experienced the importance of TIRR during Mikki’s illness.  He was a proud member and past president of the River Oaks Breakfast Club and an active Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumnus who cherished his deep friendships and the opportunity to gather annually with fraternity brothers. While not a social butterfly, Larry’s life was full of social opportunities marked by his involvement in The Forest Club, The Briar Club, The Racquet Club, and St. Charles Bay Club in Rockport, Texas.

His sense of humor and dry wit livened up any party. Never at a loss for classic sports and movie trivia, Larry also loved musicals, something that he shared with his father. Not many people can count on having close friendships that date back to elementary school, but Larry could. He kept in touch with classmates from all the different levels of his schooling and enjoyed spending time with them, particularly if it involved hunting or fishing, good food, and good wine. From jogging to sailing, playing tennis to dancing, Larry enjoyed an active lifestyle and delighted in travel.

Larry is survived by his wife, Julie Hodges Phillips; his children Paige Allred Phillips, Michelle Elaine Phillips and husband David Perry Peck; his grandchildren Miles Brasfield Phillips Peck and Grant Gray Phillips Peck. His Phillips family: William Stephen Phillips and wife Linda, Colby Phillips and wife Kris, Scott Phillips and wife Mindy Bennett, and Carmen Jean Pellettieri. His Hodges family: Renee Hodges Anderson and husband Jimmy, Michelle Hodges Reckling and her husband Thomas, Julie Hodges Raley, Collins Hodges and wife Charlotte, Will Hodges and wife Tina, and all their children.

The memorial service will be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning, Tuesday, the 7th of November at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston. Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a reception.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Larry Brown Phillips, III, may be directed to the TIRR Family Foundation  (www.TIRRfoundation.org).  and the Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA Texas, www.ccatexas.org).

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