Phil George Kilgore

1946 - 2022

Phil George Kilgore, 75, of Lumberton TX, passed away on Tuesday, the 22nd of March, 2022.

Phil was born on November 26, 1946 in Beaumont, Texas. Upon graduating from French High School in 1965, he went on to join the United States Army. Phil was a veteran during the Vietnam War. He served honorably and was discharged December 17, 1970.

In 1966, Phil met his beloved wife Betty, and they married that same year. In 1967, Phil and Betty were blessed with the birth of their son, Jeffrey Carl Kilgore. He was blessed yet again with a wonderful daughter in-law, Heather Regina Kilgore, and two grandsons, William Hunter Kilgore and George Skyler Kilgore.

Phil's experience in the Army played a very important role in his life. He frequently pointed out that the military taught him the value of discipline, teamwork, and investing in a cause larger than himself. He would often explain to loved ones how these values contributed to his success & strong work ethic throughout his life.

After his service in the military Phil joined the local 195 Pipefitters Union and started a long successful career in the industrial construction industry where he ultimately founded his first business Lindbergh Steel Fabrication in 1980. His business graciously provided an amazing life for his family and friends until he retired in 2001. After a short retirement, mostly consisting of driving Betty crazy, he co-founded Kilgore Industrial with his son Jeff in 2009 and returned to work where he remained Vice President for more than 13 years. Phil spent his days at Kilgore Industrial serving as a great leader, while enjoying the benefit of being surrounded by his family. Throughout his career, he formed many successful relationships and left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with and met.

Phil was blessed with participating and leading many civic groups and events. Some of his numerous successes and achievements are Lumberton Chamber of Commerce President, Lumberton Small Businessman Of The Year, Lumberton Citizen Of The Year and Lumberton Masonic Lodge Community Builder Of The Year. He was a member of and held numerous titles and positions in the Lumberton Lions Club, Woodcrest United Methodist Church, The Village Creek Festival, The Economic Development Corporation, Lumberton Civic Mens Club and City of Lumberton Home Rule Charter Committee. One of his most coveted achievements was winning the Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest in 1992, a title sought after by men both far and wide.

Phil was also a passionate grill master, Casino expert, cigar connoisseur and an avid world traveler. He enjoyed and appreciated the simple pleasures of life such as hunting and fishing, grape jelly on white toast, watching John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies, the Hallmark channel and M*A*S*H. You could always find him at his happy place in Cabo San Lucas eating breakfast at the "Tiki Bar" walking around the marina and always sneaking off to the casino where he would then exchange his winning pesos for dollars with Jeff at "The Phil Exchange Rate."

Phil was a "Man's Man," determined to provide for his family and give them the life that they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he proudly and often mentioned. He appreciated his family endlessly, always supporting them no matter the need. A man of few words, Phil always had an impact wherever he was and when he did talk everyone listened. Strongly opinionated and set in his way; he also had the biggest, kindest, most generous heart. Family man, patriarch, a force of nature; he always put his loved ones first and made everyone feel safe. He loved a good laugh and has filled many lives with meaning and purpose.

Anyone who knew Phil knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. Phil was preceded in death by his father, the late Carl Glen Kilgore, his mother, the late Mary Evelyn Kilgore, and his twin sister Phyllis Lucille Kilgore, all of Beaumont. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Betty Benoit Kilgore; his son, Jeffrey Carl Kilgore and his spouse Heather Griffin Kilgore; his two grandsons, William Hunter Kilgore and George Skyler Kilgore; and his siblings, Harry Herschel Kilgore, Brenda Mae Glover and Carlene Heiman and numerous nieces and nephews.

A gathering of Mr. Kilgore's family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 25, 2022, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His interment with military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.