Dates
Phillip Farwell Templeton, a lifelong San Angelo resident, died peacefully on September 7, 2021, at the age of 91. He was born in San Angelo, Texas, July 25, 1930.
Phillip attended San Angelo Jr. College in 1947 and studied pre-engineering. He received his BA degree in Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. In 2001, he was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Angelo State University. Phillip served his country during the Korean war as a company commander in the Engineering Aviation Scarwaf Battalion providing air base construction. In 1960, Phillip married Sharon Hall, a marriage that spanned sixty-one years.
His civic contributions include: President of the West Texas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, also serving on the State Legislative Committee for that organization. He was Board Chairman of the Salvation Army; member of the Foundation Board of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas; served on the Board of Rio Concho, Angelo Civic Theatre, the Girl Scouts, the San Angelo Historical Commission and the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. He served for seven years on the City of San Angelo Variance Commission and was a lifelong member of the Rotary Club.
Phillip was a devoted and faithful parishioner of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, which his father, H.F. Templeton, helped build in 1929. He served as vestry member, Sr. and Jr. Warden, Stewardship Chair, and volunteered for 20 years as a choir member and in the Education Program. On the Diocesan level, he served on the Executive Committee.
In his professional life he retired at age 70 after a lifelong career in the construction business with his father H.F. Templeton and brother Stuart Templeton. Among the many projects completed by the company were: numerous homes in the city; the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts; Southland Baptist Church Sanctuary; Emmanuel Episcopal Church; Good Shepherd Episcopal Church; Hemphill Wells department store; the Convention Center; Rio Concho East and the East Wing of the Rio Concho Retirement High Rise; Tom Green County Jail; Holy Angels Catholic Church; Lake View High School; Angelo Community Hospital, and numerous buildings at Goodfellow and Angelo State University. Templeton Construction doubled the size of the Rio Pecos power plant in McCamey and had projects in many other cities including San Antonio, Austin, Del Rio, Sonora, Ozona, Midland, and Fort Stockton.
Phillip and his brother Stuart were born with a natural gift for music. They enjoyed this throughout their life, beginning with their band, The Twin Mountain Boys. Phillip's original song, "Why Doesn't it Rain?" was often sung in performances at the University of Texas. He was honored to have been invited to play at a small gathering for Lady Bird Johnson's 80th birthday.
Phillip embraced the joy of life and challenges of life with grace. He took great pride in his family, was always eager to greet each day, and appreciated friendship. He loved his garden, relaxing with friends, and enjoying the golf course at San Angelo Country Club. At home, the love of walking in the door with a newfound plant or flower (or animal!) was an enthusiasm he never lost. Living with the joy of his music, his beautiful smile, his zest for life, his optimism, his integrity, enriched the life of his family.
The ravages of dementia were confusing for him and earthshattering for those of us who loved him so. It is said that dementia is "the long goodbye". How hard and how true. Goodbye, dear husband, father, grandfather, friend, as we release you to this beautiful mysterious world.
Phillip Templeton was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Roxanna Templeton, brother Stuart Templeton, sister Anne Molloy and infant daughter Julianna.
Phillip is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters, Rebecca Strout, Jackson, Wyoming, Susan Kinney and husband Craig Kinney of San Angelo; grandchildren, Phillip Garrett McClure, Dr. Sarah Frances McClure, Nathaniel Hall Kinney and Helen Clare Kinney; nephews Dr. Stephen Templeton, wife Beth; Scott Templeton, Attorney, wife Gracie; Paul Molloy, wife Maria; nieces Dr. Peggie Molloy; Marianne Beckwith, husband Marc and sister-in-law, Betty Templeton; brothers-in-law Stephen Hall and David Hall, and a wonderful group of nieces and nephews.
With the community's COVID crisis, our family has decided to hold a private memorial service and hopefully our friends can join us by livestream on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11am with Father Matt Rowe and Father Bill Wright. https://youtube.com/c/EmmanuelSanAn…
Thank you from the family to our dear friends including Amparo Rodarte, José Trejo, Rick Harvey and the courageous medical team at Shannon Medical Center. Phillip loved this town. If you would like to give a memorial, some of his favorite local causes were the Salvation Army, the House of Faith, Drew Thieman Music Scholarship Fund at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, West Texas Counseling & Guidance, and Ballet San Angelo's Joy of Movement.
Memorial Service
Saturday, September 18, 2021
11:00AM