Paul Phillips

Paul Edwards Phillips
Houston

Paul Edward Phillips, one of the nicest and most interesting men of Houston, passed away on Nov 13, 2010 at the age of 72. The cause of death was cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of music, insight, teaching, and learning.
Born in Dallas, TX, Paul Phillips grew up in Abilene, TX and received a B.A. from Abilene Christian (then) College and a master's degree in microbiology from the University of Texas at Galveston. In 1967 he moved with his wife and two young daughters to Clear Lake City to work as a microbiologist at NASA on the Apollo missions, keeping the world safe from moon germs. When it was determined that there were in fact no germs on the moon he then worked at Houston's medical center in neuropsychopharmacology.
But in fact, these were just his "day jobs." His true calling was music. An autodidact, Paul Phillips taught himself to play many different instruments, from the traditional folk guitar, harmonica, and banjo to others more exotic. His fascination and love for Russian and Ukrainian folk music began in the late 1950s. Having never seen a "real live" balalaika, he decided to build his own from wooden mouse crates harvested from Galveston's medical center. Eventually, he was joined by a small group of enthusiasts of Russian folk music and from this beginning evolved the Houston Balalaika Society of which he was a founder and artistic director. The society performed its 34th annual concert this past June 2010.
Paul was also a fixture at the Texas Renaissance Festival from its first year until the late 1980s. He built one of the tallest booths on that nascent land, where he presented shows of Gypsy music with a talented trio several times a day. Later on, he was the King of the Gypsies, with his own section at the festival in which many a belly dancer, palm reader, and musician got to play, put on shows, and entertain the patrons.
Paul Phillips had many friends all over the world. He was a member of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America, studied Tai Chi, was a voracious life-long learner and teacher, and had a big and loving heart. He was a devoted grandfather, father, colleague, occasional Santa Claus stand-in, and friend. He is survived by his daughters, Gretchen Phillips and Genevieve McQuilling, his son-in-law, David McQuilling, his former wife Linda Curtis (née Bottoms), the love of his life, Happy Barnes, and his five grandchildren, Madeleine, Henry, Olivia, Louisa, and Vivienne.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 16th from 5-8PM at Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home in Houston. Feel free to bring instruments and favorite photos. Service will be held at Heights Church of Christ in Houston on Wednesday, November 17th at 10AM. Burial will be at Elmwood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy 277 South Abilene, TX, November 18th at 11AM.
He will be sorely missed by those of us here on earth and joyously received by those in the hereafter. Until we meet again . . . please know that you are very loved.