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Arthur Lineberger Obituary
10-26-1945-5-31-2015
Dr. Arthur Phillip Lineberger, pastor of Sugar Land Baptist Church and former president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas died in Sugar Land on May 31, 2015 at the age of 69.
Lineberger grew up in Texarkana, Texas, and made a profession of faith in Christ at age 10 (in responses to a revival led by evangelist Freddie Gage). Highland Baptist Church in Texarkana ordained him to the gospel ministry. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and earned master's and doctor's degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a Regent at both Baylor University and William Jewell College and a trustee at Dallas Baptist University. He also served as a director of Associated Baptist Press, now Baptist News Global.
Lineberger pastored churches for 48 years, and became pastor of Sugar Land Baptist Church—formerly Williams Trace Baptist Church in Sugar Land in. He also served as Vice-President of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.
Phil as he was commonly and affectingly referred is survived by his wife Brenda; three daughters Becky Groves, Amy Seay and Kathy Lineberger; their husbands and eleven cherished grandchildren.
Services honoring and celebrating the life of Dr. Lineberger well be held Thursday June 4th, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Sugar Land Baptist Church, 16755 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77479. Family request in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to the Lineberger Family College Fund at Community Bank of Texas.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Lineberger
Sponsored by Sugar Land Mortuary.
Albert Kelly
August 10, 2025
I knew Phil at Southwestern Seminary. He was a godly and professional minister. His loss remains painful to me and others who knew him.
Albert Kelly
May 29, 2023
Phil was a great man & a great pastor/ preacher. His loss affects many of us who knew him as a friend & colleague. God rest his soul, and his family be comforted.
Tim Boone
March 30, 2022
Still missing you everyday Phil. Your touch, counsel and friendship meant more than you knew and so many of your sermons set me straight and fed my soul.
Rest In Peace friend.
David Blomstrom
May 28, 2021
I think of Preacher Phil daily and miss him so much. Just last nite Ginger and I were at a Dwight Yoakum concert at the Arena Theatre in Houston. Phil had gone to a Yoakum concert there with us maybe a year or so before his death. We all left after a few tunes cause it was new modern country, not traditional. But last nite was Phil’s music. I told Ginger we’d still be here with Phil if Dwight had performed like that back then. Phil was so much of our life’s. Always remembered with love
Nancy Clem Gilbert
January 15, 2016
I just learned about Phils death and was saddened and shocked. Phil was a big part of our family. He married me in Richardson Texas. Our family's were very close and helped work at my parents Christmas store. Last time I saw Phil was when he led my grandmothers funeral in Texarkana. I looked up to him so much. To all his girls miss you and so sorry. I am praying for you. Nancy Clem Gilbert.
Don Goatrs
October 18, 2015
Just learned of Phil's passing. He and I went to SWBTS together and worked on our D.Min's at the same time. I am sorry for your loss. It was a shock to hear about it.
Gaylon Davis
June 9, 2015
Brenda and Family, Phil was actually my first pastor because He was the messenger that God used to speak to my heart as an ornery young boy so many years ago at Calvary in Huntsville, AR. and led me to Christ. I thank and Praise God for Him and the everlasting impact that was made in my life as well as in the lives of all of my family. Although many miles and years have separated our families, Our love for All of You and how precious You are to Us will never change. Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. You will be continually in our prayers.
Carol Davis Sonnier
June 9, 2015
From those very first days so long ago at Calvary Baptist in Huntsville, Arkansas, and all through the years since, you have all been such a special presence in my life and the lives of our entire family. Our hearts are literally broken with yours, and each of you are in our continual prayers, with so much love. Carol Davis Sonnier
Jerry & Mary Sue Gusewelle
June 5, 2015
Brenda,
Mary Sue and I were truly saddened to hear of Phils passing. We were blessed to have known you and Phil in Wichita,Ks. and have Phil as our Pastor at Metropolitian Baptist Church and after we moved to Little Rock to have Phil visit us when he came to Little Rock. We remember on one trip when he was here he stood on our deck and "Called the Hogs" for our whole neighborhood to hear. We offer our condolences to you and your family and will certainly keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Eugenia (Ginger)i Blomstrom
June 5, 2015
Brenda and ALL the Lineberger family, you are loved. We will miss Phil dearly but continue to remember his love for everyone, sense of integrity and honesty, contagious laughter, friendship for over 18 years, and all his good work and faithful service. We are here for you, you will never be alone.
Stacy Caudill
June 5, 2015
I worked with Phil, in the 90's, at WTBC. Frequently, I still remember several things he gave me advice on. He was a strong, confident, laughing man. I will continue to pray for his family and church congregation. He is a great loss for Texas Baptist.
June 4, 2015
Brenda and family, our hearts hurt with yours in Phil's death. Our Givens family grew up with him and his family, you, Marilyn and Joncie Young at HPBC. I'd love to know if your parents are living and give them a hugging note, too. We love you all! Gloria (Givens) & Don Parker & Family
June 4, 2015
Brenda and Girls, my heart is broken. What a rich heritage he left, so loved and so respected. I am very, very sad for your broken hearts and will pray for great courage and strength in each of you to go on without him. I know you will hold each other up. Please know that we are thinking of you, crying with you and remembering. Loving hugs all around, Judy Miller
teresa gentry and gary klembara
June 4, 2015
Your light will always shine. Thank you for pastoring at The Heights, and officiating at my Mother's funeral service and graveside ceremony in 1990. Blessings to the family.
June 4, 2015
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave foot prints in our hearts and we are never ever the same. This can be said of Phil and the whole Lineberger family of Texarkana. Phil, as with our classmates, we were friends from our fist days at Grim to the last day at Texas High School. Friendships were made that can never be replaced, and will always generate warm feelings when we walk down memory lane. Phil, you will be missed. Brenda, and the whole Lineberger family, you are in our prayers.Rickey Parks
June 4, 2015
Pastor Phil was so very special to so many. I had to priviledge of meeting and visiting with him when he officiated the funeral of my sweet step father, Al Hancock. God Bless him and those who will miss him so much. He is walking with his Savior now. Sheryl Heathcock Castello
Scott Shaver
June 4, 2015
Thanks Phil...for your courage, your conviction and your friendship. You will be greatly missed but always remembered until we're gathered together again.
E. Dale Hill
June 4, 2015
Following my decision to leave Grand Parkway as Senior Pastor, Phil introduced me to some wonderful people at RSI in Dallas. It proved to be my next step in God's development of my future. I will always be grateful. Thank you, my friend!
June 4, 2015
Your warm smile welcomed me to Williams Trace Baptist in the 90's. Through the years your Christian wisdom, humor and compassion planted seeds that will continue to grow. The world is a better place because you were here.
-Jaime Williams Sugar Land
Cookie (woods). & GW Poe
June 4, 2015
Our prayers are with all the family. A precious man of God who helped so many people find God in their lives
Karen & Steve Awalt
June 3, 2015
My dear friend Phil, You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Praying for all to feel His comforting hands. We are sadly missing you.
Karen Awalt
June 3, 2015
My dear friend Phil, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Missing you. Praying for His comforting hands for all.
Maria L.
June 3, 2015
Phil was a high school classmate and a Christian example to everyone. A cherished memory of a great leader and loving pastor. Each person felt special and uplifted in his presence. He has left a legacy and will not be forgotten. Prayers for the family and congregation. Rest in peace.
June 3, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May Phil rest in peace. Yvonne Robertson
David Blomstrom Sr
June 3, 2015
Such a crushing loss; my prayers and hugs for Brenda and all the family as well as all the extended friends. A man of God who I will remember daily the rest of my life
Gemma Walters Davis
June 3, 2015
Brenda, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I still have the sweet note Phil wrote me when my daughter was killed it means even more now.
John Wunsch
June 3, 2015
Pastor Phil was amazing Godly man and heartfelt kind of guy. When I came to William Trace back in 2001, He hired interepreter for me(deaf) during those time. I was really heartfelt that he did that. He always greet with a greatest smile. He will be miss by many. You all are in my prayer.
June 3, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. Please be assured God cares for you and will be a source of comfort at this time. Ps.147:3
CHARLOTTE MCKENZIE
June 3, 2015
R I P, MY FOREVER FRIEND AND CLASSMATES. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
June 3, 2015
R.I. P MY DEAR DEAR FOREVER FRIEND AND CLASSMATE. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. PRAYERS, CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS MCKENZIE
June 3, 2015
R I P my dear dear classmate & forever friend. Prayers for the family. Charlotte Williams McKenzie
Joe & Hilda White
June 3, 2015
The profound grief we share as a family, in the loss of our dear Pastor Phil, is too much to capture in mere words. We loved and admired him very much for the qualities he so easily shared with everyone who was fortunate enough to call him friend and Pastor. Our faith in God will sustain us through this tragic time but for today , our hearts are broken as we share the wonderful memories we have of him. He was so funny, so genuine, so loving. His impact on our lives will not be forgotten. We pray God's grace, strength and blessings on Brenda and the family as they mourn his passing.
June 3, 2015
Phil was a man who loved me when I was hurting. I hurt with you during these days. We will figure all this out one day in our home together.
Tom Melzoni
Beverly Neely
June 3, 2015
Kathy, so sorry to hear of your father's death. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
June 3, 2015
When Phil was the pastor at the Heights Baptist Church, he delivered a sermon titled "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing". This should be our focus when controversy and disagreement surrounds us. This is his legacy to me and I think countless others.
Joe D Shamblin
Richardson, TX
June 3, 2015
Bobby and I have been friends with Phil since junior high and we have had some good memories of high school. It was great being around him and Brenda at our last class reunion and we all shared some happy times. We will all miss Phil, he holes a special place in all of our hearts, and we wish Brenda and family the best. Brenda you and the girls and their family are in our prays and we love you. Bobby and Sue Jones
Bo Kelly
June 3, 2015
Phil Lineberger was a rock to many of us in the Seminary in the early seventies.....his brash, confident, yet sensitive demeanor was so attractive and compelling, that everybody liked him right off.....he was a leader par excellence, one of a kind, a Godly man who will be greatly missed by so many of us young (then) preacher boys.....God bless his family and many church members who found Jesus under his powerful preaching and teaching, and blessings on his family and many friends in the Houston area and beyond....
Vicki Johnston
June 3, 2015
My family is so saddened by the loss of our beloved pastor, Phil. He was there on a moment's notice to give genuine, heart-felt comfort to all in his congregation and beyond and personally, he was there to help when I needed it the most. A true Biblical scholar, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be terribly missed. My deepest condolences to Brenda, his daughters and all of his grandchildren
Bo Kelly
June 3, 2015
Phil Lineberger was a rock to many of us in the Seminary in Fort Worth....deeply spiritual, yet not stuffy, athletic, yet very kind and sensitive, wise, but very approachable and out- going in demeanor. I will miss him greatly, and treasure his memory all my life.
Jim and Lesley Spencer
June 3, 2015
Words cannot express how sad we are about Pastor Phil. We have laughed with him at each sermon, as his precious sense of humor was such a gift. He was always around the church with that wonderful smile and something funny to say to make you smile. He knew everyone in the church by name and something of each ones life. He was a light for us all and we lift the family in prayer. We will miss him terribly. God Bless
June 3, 2015
Love and Prayers for the family from Uganda
June 3, 2015
I was in elementary school when Phil was pastor at Calvary Baptist in Huntsville, AR. He was a wonderful man and pastor to us all. I have fond memories of Phil and Brenda. My prayers are with the Lineberger family at this sad time in their lives.
Lynn Duncan Loge
June 3, 2015
Words cannot express the deep sorrow and sadness we feel with passing of Pastor Phil. Our thoughts and prayers for God's love, peace and comfort for Brenda and family.
Philippians 4:7
H Daniel and Marianne Maerz
Richmond TX
Ross Woodbury
June 2, 2015
Sandy and I fill a deep void in our hearts. Phil and Brenda and their girls came into our lives when we were young adults at Calvary Baptist Little Rock. Sandy was his assistant when he was finishing his dissertation and remembers his toils at trying to please one especially finicky professor. As I felt I might be receiving a call into ministry, Phil gave just the right balance of nurture and opportunity without pressure. His charisma was a wondrous blend of intelligence, down-home humor, and godliness. Yes, we feel very empty, but because we've known Phil and Brenda and their Lord, we don't lose heart. We will laugh with him again
June 2, 2015
I miss you Phil. You were a great pastor and always gave generously to others. You always made my family and me feel special and loved.
Tracy Freeman
Earl Powell
June 2, 2015
Phil was my mentor in my early doctoral work at Southwestern while he was in Richardson. A kind, humorous Christian servant-leader. Though we only stayed in touch but lightly after he moved, when we did speak, he was always both warm and genuine.
It was a pleasure and blessing to know him.
June 2, 2015
The Duncan family offers our prayers and love to Brenda and family. Phil Lineberger blessed our lives with laughter, wisdom, godliness, and friendship. Raymond and Brother Carl Nelson were there to welcome him to Heaven. He now sees "face to face" with Christ, his Savior. What a blessing Phil and his family were to us. Love, Linda, David, Shirley(husband Perry), and Lynn Anne
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