Phillip E. Avey

We are sad to say that Phillip Ezzell Avey passed away on August 11, 2026 just a few months short of his 90th birthday. Phil was born in Galveston, TX on November 22, 1936 to Ezzell Natawa Avey and Melrose Vivian Tiller. He attended Galveston Ball High School where he made the school paper for hitting a game winning home run his senior year. That same season he batted over .400 much like his idol Ted Williams. He served in the US Army from 1956 - 1962 where he worked as a courier between Korea and Japan, though he would always refuse to be recognized with the other veterans, saying he had “just been doing his job.” He went on to work for the railroad for nearly 40 years, just like his father before him. Phil married Cynthia Ann Avey on July 29th, 1967 and the couple spent 59 beautiful years together, during which he often told those closest to him that she was too good for him. They had 2 children, Cathy Avey and Darren Avey, along with 5 grandchildren, Gail, Cassidy, Garrett, Dalton and Carson and one great-grandchild, Antonio Santiago Leal. Most recently Phil and Cindy have resided in Hideaway, TX for nearly 25 years surrounded by many loving friends and neighbors. Phil Avey owned nearly every John Wayne movie in existence, all displayed proudly an old rifle case turned DVD shelf. But in his family’s eyes he was even bigger than the Duke. He was a gentleman before anything, always being the last one out the door or the first one to hold it open. He would never miss an opportunity to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and if you made eye contact with him, if only for a moment, he would never fail to smile. With his loved ones he was often the quiet one, listening and observing until the opportunity presented itself to make everyone in the room laugh. And in those rare moments when you were lucky enough to talk to him alone, he might just suddenly drop a nugget of wisdom that no self-help book could ever compete with. He was handy around his house and any house that needed a hand, a chef at the grill, and coach to multiple generations, even fighting through shoulder spurs to pitch for hours to his grandson that could seldom hit a ball. Phil thought of others first and himself last until his last moments. And while the world has lost an incredible man today, we can still hope that we gain more like him tomorrow. A service to celebrate his life will be held on August 22nd at 1pm at Caudle Rutledge Funeral Home, located at 206 W South St. Lindale, TX 75771 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a GoFund me supported his widow and loving wife always, Cindy. https://gofund.me/42213cb2a

Phillip E. Avey

November 22, 1936 - August 11, 2026