Roll Call Tribute

Carroll Wynn Phillips 

March 13, 1933 - January 6, 2024 

After a wonderful life, Carroll Wynn Phillips passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Saturday, the 6th of January 2024, after a hard-fought illness, battling both dementia and Parkinson's.

Carroll was born on the 13th of March 1933 in Bowie, Texas, to Homer Wynn and Alta Pearl Phillips. He spent his early years on his family’s farm and ranch in Deer Creek near Henrietta, Texas. Carroll graduated from Midway High School at age 17 as valedictorian of his class. He attended Texas A&M University on an Opportunity Award Scholarship.

At Texas A&M, Carroll was a business major with a focus on accounting, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Corps of Cadets serving on the Corps Staff, a member of the Ross Volunteers and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Fraternity. He was recognized for his academic excellence as a Distinguished Student, and he was named The Outstanding Air Force ROTC Cadet in his graduating class.

Upon graduation in 1954 with a B.B.A., Carroll joined the accounting firm Lybrand, Ross Brothers and Montgomery (subsequently Coopers & Lybrand and now PricewaterhouseCoopers) in their Dallas office. Later that same year, he was called to active duty in Europe where he served until 1956 as a Lieutenant in Wiesbaden, Germany at Air Force Headquarters. Upon his return, he rejoined the Firm where he subsequently passed the CPA exam in 1959 and was named a partner in 1965, the youngest partner ever admitted to the Firm at that time.

In April of 1960, Carroll married Grace Awalt. Shortly thereafter, they welcomed three children into their family: Carol Ann, James “Jim” Burton and John Wynn. In 1971, he moved their family to Houston as managing partner of the Houston office of Coopers & Lybrand where he served for 21 years. In 1992 he moved to the Firm’s National Headquarters in New York as Vice Chairman which he remained until his retirement in 1995.

Carroll served a broad range of clients ranging from private to Fortune 500 companies, including retail, utility, manufacturing, distribution, real estate, and energy industries. Over his 41-year career with the Firm, his other professional achievements included being a Member of the Firm Council Governing Board, Member of the Firm's nine-person Executive Committee and Chairman of the Partner Investment Committee. He frequently mentioned how much he had continued to enjoy his job and the people that he worked with at the Firm and in the Houston community and how he would not have changed a thing.

Carroll’s other achievements and awards included: Trustee of Texas A&M Foundation, President of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Member of the Governing Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Beta Gamma Sigma Honoree - Texas A&M Chapter, Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Alumnus - Texas A&M Chapter, Outstanding Alumnus - Texas A&M College of Business, Chairman of the Texas A&M College of Business Administration Development Council, Trustee and Chairman of the Texas A&M Development Foundation, Member of the Texas A&M President's Council, Trustee of the Texas A&M Private Enterprise Research Center, and Chairman of the Texas A&M College of Business Administration Capital Fund Drive.

A dedicated and loving husband, Carroll and his wife, Grace would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this April 9th. During their long and fulfilling life together, they had three children and four grandchildren. No one could have asked for a better husband, father, or grandfather.

Over the years, Carroll and Grace enjoyed traveling both in the US and abroad, visiting many historical, and beautiful places. Carroll enjoyed reading, hunting, collecting antiques and spending time with his many friends and family. Carroll loved Texas A&M University and enjoyed attending football games and the camaraderie of his fellow Aggies.

A man of great integrity, Carroll was a committed and devoted Christian. He was a big believer in the power of prayer and credited answered prayers for his great happiness in both his professional and personal life. A long-time member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, he was a Trustee of the Chapelwood Foundation and Life Member of the Board of Stewards. He also served in other roles at Chapelwood including Chair of the Finance Committee, and as a Member of the Administrative Board.

Carroll had a great impact on the lives of people around him. He genuinely cared about people, their families, and their day-to-day lives. A mentor to many people over the years, he was committed to sharing his success and providing advice and opportunities for others.

Carroll was active in many charitable, civic and arts organizations over the years, including his role as Chairman of Dallas Chapter of American Heart Association, a member of Rice University Accounting Council, Treasurer and Director of Texas Council on Economic Education, Director of Houston Grand Opera, Division Chairman of Houston United Way, Governor of Forum Club of Houston, and Regent of Texas Southern University.

Throughout his life, he remained a humble, kind, and loving person who cherished his family, his friends, and his faith.

Carroll is predeceased by his son, James “Jim” Phillips; his parents, Homer Wynn Phillips and Alta Pearl Phillips; his sisters, Iris Dean Scheer and Maydelle Stahl; and his brother Harold Land.

Carroll is survived by his wife, Grace; his daughter, Carol Ann Phillips; his son John Phillips and his wife Stephanie; his grandsons, Matthew Phillips and Ryan Phillips and his wife Jennifer; his daughter-in-law Yolanda Vanderhorst-Phillips; his grandchildren, Carolina Phillips and Nelson Phillips; and his nephews, Chris Scheer and Charles Stahl and his wife Val.

A memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 19th of January, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where Rev. Wick Stuckey is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family and share remembrances of Mr. Phillips during a reception to be held in the nearby Fellowship Hall. Prior to the service, the family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station TX 77840-2811; or to the Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX 77024.

IN THE CARE OF
Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors