Thomas Caston Philyaw

Thomas Caston Philyaw, of Jacksonville, FL, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 25th, 2015 at the age of 83. Thomas was born on May 4, 1932 in Shreveport, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fleecy and Thomas O. Philyaw and a sister, Frances Nichols.

He is survived by his loving wife Mildred of 56 years; 5 children; Julie (William) Massey, of St. Augustine, FL, Anne Caston (Ian) Gallimore, of Kill Devil Hills, NC, Michael (Joyce Pelham) Philyaw, of Homestead, FL, Michele (Chris) Capozzia, of Geneva, FL, and Cynthia (Gilbert) Cloutier, of Jacksonville, FL; 3 brothers; Joe Philyaw, of Jacksonville FL, John Philyaw, of Texarkana, TX, Scott Philyaw, of Tulsa, OK, and 1 sister Dorcas Gray, of Inverness, Scotland. He was blessed with 16 grandchildren and was expecting his 32nd great grandchild and had many nieces and nephews.

Thomas attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and spent two years in the United States Army. He retired from Glidden Chemical Plant in Jacksonville, FL and shortly after went into private business as a building contractor. He was a member of Park Lane Baptist Church for over 50 years where he fulfilled his passion for teaching the Word of God to his Sunday school classes. He also loved singing in the church choir and blessed the hearts of many through song. He was a greatly loved man and will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Friends will be received on Dec. 29, 2015 from 6-8pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32205. Funeral services will be held on Dec. 30, 2015, 11am, at Park Lane Baptist Church, 1480 Lake Shore Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park. Arrangements in care of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home.