Marty Phillips

MARTY PHILLIPS (CLYDE MARTIN PHILLIPS II) JUNE 6, 1954 - AUGUST 5, 2005 The heavens have gained a brilliant new star. Marty Phillips left this earth at age 51 after a valiant struggle with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenic leukemia. He joins his beloved son, Ian, on this most fantastic of journeys. Marty was born in Wilmington, Delaware to Clyde W. and Juliane R. Phillips. As an Army brat he spent his childhood moving all over the world. He attended 22 schools in 12 years, and earned the rank of Eagle scout along the way. He graduated from Eastwood HS in El Paso, TX. and went to college at the Texas Maritime Academy, part of Texas A&M University. He graduated May 7, 1976 with a BS in Marine Transportation, and more importantly, with a Third Mate’s license for vessels of unlimited tonnage. Thus began his career as a Merchant Marine, a proud member of the Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association. Marty plied the seas on Liquefied Natural Gas tankers, having the privilege of bringing out America’s first LNG tanker, the LNG Aquarius, in June of 1977. He continued the tradition and brought out the LNG Gemini and the LNG Leo in 1978 sailing as Second mate aboard both. He sailed steadily, advancing his license along the way, and obtained his Master’s License, unlimited tonnage, in December of 1982. In July 1989, Marty became Master of an LNG tanker, the SS Louisiana. In true maritime tradition, a Captain’s party was held in his honor. It came to be known as the “Marty Party” and is legendary among the attendees. Classmates, friends, and sailors from all over converged at the Driskill hotel in Austin for a celebration never to be forgotten. Attending and supervising numerous shipyard overhaul periods, firefighting schools, ship’s medicine courses, radar courses, jetty operations, safety courses, seminars, and worldwide industry conventions kept him current in the industry. He sought and received Plan approval for many modifications to LNG vessels through the USCG and ABS. He participated in a ship to ship cargo transfer in Davao Bay, Philippines and assisted in the rescue of Vietnamese boat people. Marty was familiar with almost every LNG terminal in the world, and most of the LNG vessels. His knowledge was deep and extensive. His expertise in the field was sought out and he had recently begun working to help expand U.S. LNG operations. The life of a sailor can be lonely, yet Marty made friends wherever he went. He traveled the world with open eyes and made friends along the way, people who did not forget Captain Marty. His wife always called him her American Express card and didn’t leave home without him. He was known and accepted everywhere! He made sure to learn a bit of the native language wherever he went so he could talk to people in their native tongue, and learn of their culture. Marty retired from active shipping in 1997, having served as Master on the SS Louisiana, and her sister ship, the SS Lake Charles. The following year the vessels were re-flagged under the Bahamas flag, and thus joined in the decline of American flagged vessels. A sad time for all American Merchant Mariners. Marty then jumped with both feet into the role of father and husband. He enjoyed retirement, played golf, had a little business called Sun Shades, traveled and spent time with his wife and son and began consulting in the marine business. Marty left this life too early. He still had so much to do and plans had been made. He was a wonderful husband and an incredible father to Ian whom we lost way too soon. After the heartbreak of losing Ian, he showed great courage and love in adopting Tino (9) and Lance (8) and beginning again with 2 beautiful children who adored their Daddy. And a wife who adored her husband for taking a chance and opening up his heart again. Marty is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Jan, his precious new children Tino and Lance, his parents of Sun City, FL, sister Debby Fitzsimmons and her husband Chuck of Key West, FL, their children Sarah and Tori, his brother Rick and his wife Nancy of Tallahassee, FL and their children Ashley and Kimberly, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. Not to mention the maritime community. If a man is measured by the number of friends and love in his life, then Marty’s treasure chest is overflowing. Jan and the family would like to thank everyone for their continuous prayers, positive thoughts and support throughout Marty’s illness. USTA TX Section deserves special recognition, as do Laurie Gammill and Dr. Richard Helmer at SWRCC. They also wish to thank Dr. Paul Shaughnessy of the TX Transplant Institute at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio and the nurses on 8 South, 8 West and the Bone Marrow Transplant clinic for the wonderful care and gentleness Marty experienced. They made his passing bearable for the family and gentle for him. Serving as pallbearers will be Bob Lofberg, Bill Phillips, Chuck Fitzsimmons, Rick Phillips, Kirk Dunham, Lee Pendleton, Steve Gibson, and Bobby Sutton. Honorary pallbearers will be the S. Austin Zinfidels, Brian Patton, Bruce MacGregor, Pat Boyd, Darron Granger, WL Walls and the gang at Sam’s, TX Maritime Academy Class of ’76. Visitation will be held at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home, S. Congress location from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, August 10-11. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2005 at Bethany Lutheran Church on W. Slaughter Lane with Dr. William Knippa officiating. Interment will follow at Onion Creek Memorial Park. For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund established for Tino and Lance through Wells Fargo Bank. He has begun the ultimate travel unencumbered by earthly bonds. Fly on my sweet angel… Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com