Phillip Edward Kielpinski

Phillip Edward Kielpinski was born on February 18, 1935, to Felix and Lucy Kielpinski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Phil graduated from Don Bosco High School in Milwaukee in 1953 and went on to attend the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1957. He pursued graduate studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, earning a Master of Science degree in mathematics in 1959.

In 1961, Phil accepted a teaching position at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He later moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 1968, where he married Mildred Simpson Graham. Together, Phil and Mildred spent many years actively involved in the long-term care industry. He was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral.

Phil and Mildred enjoyed both international and domestic travel including specially planned trips for the grandchildren with “Graddy” and “Gaggy.” The Kielpinski’s were lifelong members of the American Contract Bridge League and were generous supporters of the local bridge community. They were also passionate patrons of the arts, contributing to organizations such as the Amarillo Symphony, Chamber Music Amarillo, and the Harrington String Quartet. Phil had a deep love of music and faithfully listened each day to High Plains Public Radio and Panhandle Public Broadcasting Station.

Phil passed away on February 1, 2026, at The Ware at Park Central. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Lucy Kielpinski; his beloved wife, Mildred Kielpinski; and his sons, Dick Graham and Alan Graham.

He is survived by his son Bill Graham and his wife Ursula of Dallas, Texas; daughters-in-law Cherry Graham of Amarillo, Texas, and Holly Graham of Seven Oaks, Texas; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michelene Galbraith, her husband Chase, and their children Garner, Nina, and Lucy; Will Graham; Tanny Shelburne, her husband John, and their children Sam and George; Cody Graham, his wife Jamie, and their children Corbin, Blake, and Chandler; Allison Teuscher, her husband Luke, and their children Abigail and Andrew; Alan Lloyd Graham; Afton Davis and her husband Mark; and Edward Graham and his fiancée Kelly Whitaker.

A Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. on February 16, 2026, in the chapel at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice or to:

High Plains Public Radio, 210 North 7th, Garden City, KS 67846 www.hppr.org 

or 

Amarillo Children’s Home, 3400 S. Bowie St., Amarillo, TX 79109 www.amarillochildrenshome.org