Russell Phillips

Russell Wade Phillips of Waxahachie, Tx passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Russell was born at WC Tennery Hospital in Waxahachie, Texas, on December 1, 1969, the second child of Burlin Douglas Phillips and Dorothy Jean Kelley Phillips.

Russell was a graduate of Waxahachie High School, class of 1988. He was an avid sports lover from an early age and played on various teams throughout elementary school, including baseball, football and soccer. His high school years were also filled with sports, including track (shot put and discus), football and baseball, as well as being a proud member of The Rowdy Bunch (IYKYK). Baseball took him to the state championship for Waxahachie High School in 1988. He continued his baseball career at Vernon Regional College until an elbow injury took him out of the game. In 2021 Russell was inducted as a member of the Waxahachie High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Russell met Missy Johnson in 1986 and she became his wife on October 15, 1988. They shared almost 40 years together and have two amazing children, Rhyan Phillips and Kaileb Phillips. Rhyan and his wife, Alyssa, have 2 daughters, Millie Kate (7) and Violet (4) and their Big Dad loved them fiercely. The girls loved riding the BeepBeep (golf cart) to feed the ducks at the playground with their Big Dad. Russell loved traveling, especially cruises, and trying new barbecue spots with Kaileb and her wife, Kilee. His family loved him dearly and will miss him immensely.

Russell dedicated much of his life to the service of his community and to those around him. Whether as a banker, a community volunteer, or a friend, he was always ready to lend a listening ear and a helping hand. In particular, Russell spent many years volunteering with Waxahachie Youth Baseball and the Waxahachie RBI Club and was a founding member of the Baseball Mafia (again, IYKYK). He was incredibly proud to be a part of carrying on the tradition of Waxahachie baseball and his contributions to that tradition as a player, coach, fan, and booster are immeasurable.

Russell is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Phillips and his father in law, Les Collard.

He is survived by his wife, Missy Phillips, his son, Rhyan Phillips and wife, his daughter, Kaileb Phillips and wife, and his two granddaughters, Amelia and Violet Phillips. He is also survived by his father, Burlin Phillips and wife, his mother in law, Diane Johnson Etheridge and husband, two brothers, Rodney and Richard Phillips, and their families, and a host of extended relatives and close friends.

Russell’s celebration of life will be held at Richard’s Park in Waxahachie, Tx on June 20, 2026, from 3-6pm.

A scholarship foundation is being set up
in Russell’s name and donations can be made to Waxahachie RBI Club (with Russell’s name notated) c/o Barry Navarro, 111 Sierra, Waxahachie 75167, until an account can be set up.