Cecil Randolph Phillips, 90, passed away on April 4, 2024. Cecil was born on July 30, 1933, the only child of Cecil “Cy” and Alberta “Bert” Smith Phillips. Cecil earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, graduating in 1960. Cecil was an innovator working with the newly invented digital computer, designing information and control systems. Cecil co-authored the book Project Management with CPM and PERT, a resource in management systems. It has been used as a textbook throughout the US and the world. The governments of China and the former USSR also used the book without respecting copyright. He worked for Kurt Salmon and Associates in management consulting and served as President of the Georgia Conservancy. He enjoyed a second career in higher education, organizing the first capital funds campaign at Georgia Tech, and later at Louisiana State University. He retired as President and CEO of the LSU Foundation.
Cecil married Lee Kirby and they had three children. Over the years Cecil served as photographer and journalist for his children and grandchildren, attending graduations, weddings, and triumphs on the athletic field, in the pool, on stage and in the pulpit Cecil married Neila Silver in 1987 and together they traveled, instructed, hosted, and won national championships in ballroom dancing.
In 1997, they helped organize the Saturday Night Ballroom monthly dance events in Baton Rouge. In 2000 they started the Louisiana Challenge dance competition, which later became the Gumbo of Ballroom Regional Championship, a qualifier for the national competition.
Cecil is survived by his wife Neila, children Taylor (and Pam), Leslie (and Michael) Hubbert, Dan (and Kelley), his stepson Brian Silver, grandchildren Colin Phillips, Cora and Amalia Hubbert, Mark Phillips,
Claire (and Corey) Schirmer, step-grandson Isaac Anderson, and great-grandson Joaquin Moore.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm at The Lake House, 12323 Old Hammond Highway. A memorial Ballroom Dance will follow the spoken portion of the program at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may contribute to any charity.
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