Philip Albert Keys

Philip Albert Keys was born on April 30, 1951 in Harlem, New York to Lawrence T. Keys Sr. and Beatrice Keys. He was the youngest of three sons. Philip was affectionately known as “PK” and “PAK” by his family and close friends. He accepted Christ at an early age. He attended Catholic school throughout his young life then Rice High School where he flourished as a scholar athlete. Growing up play­ing Pop Warner football, he developed a love for sports that never waned.

After graduating from Rice High School, he attended Hampton University where he gained a passion for media and public relations. This led him to a career at Young & Rubicam as a media planner. He then acted on an op­portunity to elevate his career and moved to Houston to work for Channel 26 television station in the Sales depart­ment. His media planning career changed from television to radio, where he then worked for Majic 102.1 and 97.9 the Boxx as an Account Executive. Philip enjoyed working in the entertainment industry which afforded him invitations to many fun-filled events where he could act on his pas­sion for dancing the night away. Houston became home as he established his roots. He soon married and started a family with the birth of his daughter, Keisha. Then, his son Kamen was born. He made sure his children knew how to swim and in his spare time, he coached little-league basketball. His love for sports continued as a Houston fan who always made time to watch the Oilers and then the Texans.

In recent years, he moved to Austin to live with his daugh­ter Keisha, son-in-law Jamil (whom he called “son”), and his grandchildren. Being an avid swimmer and basket­ball player, he spent his days teaching his grandchildren skills and counseling them into adulthood. The family was blessed to learn his “Keys to Achievement”, sayings of encouragement and inspiration that he would always share. Philip truly knew the meaning of family, together­ness and love, which he displayed at every opportunity. For this and more he will forever be missed.

On January 11, 2024, Philip Albert Keys, peacefully transitioned and gained his heavenly wings. He joins his parents and beloved brothers Freddie “Junie” Jones and Lawrence T. Keys Jr. who preceded him in death.

Those left to cherish his precious memory are daughter Keisha White (Jamil), son Kamen Keys, and Grandchil­dren Sydney, Silas, Sanai, and Jordan. His closest child­hood friends Gerald Yearwood and Kevin Yearwood, and adulthood friends David Hill and Larry Richardson, along with a host of extended family and friends that will miss Philip dearly.