Roll Call Tribute

Emmet Phil Sandlin 

July 30, 1946 - April 26, 2025 

Emmet Phil Sandlin, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Katy, Texas surrounded by those who love him deeply. Born on July 30, 1946, in Pampa, Texas, Phil was the son of Burl and Minnie Sandlin.

At an early age, Phil was rooted in hard work as he learned many trades working alongside his father. From welding to cowboying, there wasn’t much Phil didn’t know how to do. After graduating from high school and a brief stint in community college, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served his Country for four years and earned the National Defense Service Medal (1st). After his service, Phil attended Texas A&M University and received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1973. In the years after, Phil built a successful career through different business paths, but his career passion was always Real Estate. He retired from a successful commercial brokerage career in 2018.

According to Phil, his biggest success came in 1974 when he married the love of his life, Betsy. Phil and Betsy cherished their adventures together. While they both loved fishing and camping trips, their biggest adventures came in seeing their children thrive. Whether they were teaching them how to raise animals for FFA, encouraging and supporting the pursuit of a student government position, or spending late nights at baseball fields, they did it for their children; and they did it together.

Phil is preceded in death by his father, Vernon Burl Sandlin, his mother, Minnie Mae Sprinkle Sandlin, and his wife, Alice Elizabeth (Betsy) Brayton Sandlin.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his loving sister, Carol Richardson; Sons, Craig Sandlin, Casey Sandlin and wife Josie; Daughter, Melissa Vick and husband Gary; Grandchildren, Carolina Sandlin, Justin Rodgers, Case Sandlin, Kate Sandlin; numerous other extended family members and loving friends.

Phil will be remembered as a loyal brother, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, loyal friend, a Fightin’ Texas A&M Aggie, and a man who loved with his whole heart. He was the happiest, seeing those he loved the most, happy and fulfilled.