Phillip Engelke

Phillip Meredith Engelke, 79, passed away on October 31, 2017, at his home in Brenham with loving wife Linda by his side. Phil was born July 28, 1938 in Del Rio, Texas to Erhardt Albert and Ethel Beatrice Engelke. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed on December 25, 1960 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Houston.

At the age of 10, the family moved to San Antonio. He attended Brackenridge High School there and also Lutheran High School in Houston. He joined the United States Air Force in 1955 and spent basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. After being assigned to several other air bases around the country, Phil went overseas to England. He was honorably discharged in 1959.

Phil had many talents and abilities – he was a pilot, flight instructor, musician and singer. He loved golf and was a great bowler having won many trophies while participating in leagues in both Houston and Brenham. One of his most beloved activities was being active in the Elks Lodge which he was for many years serving as Exalted Ruler both in Houston and Brenham. Phil worked in the oil tool industry and was an inspector for DNV (Det Norske Veritas) until his retirement. He was a generous man to both family and friends and above all was a gentleman blessed with faith and family whom he loved dearly.

He married Susan Morrow in 1975 and they were blessed with a son, Phillip Jr., who was the light of his life and made him an extremely proud father.

On November 28, 2009, he married Lydia (Linda) Vasquez and together they enjoyed dancing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She was a blessing to him and the entire family and she tirelessly took great care of him throughout his illness.

Phil was preceded in death by parents Erhardt Engelke and Ethel (Arnold) Engelke McGrew, beloved aunts Fay Brown and Bunny Schrader, wife Susan (Crossley) Morrow Engelke, nephews Steve Kosharek and Scott Kosharek, brother-in-law Mike Farrer, sister-in-law Mimi Janes, and parents-in-law Fidel and Angie Trevino.

He is survived by his wife Linda; son Phillip M. Engelke, Jr. and wife Jill and grandchildren Kennedy, Andrew and Austin all of North Providence, Rhode Island; son Mike Morrow and wife Melissa and daughter Tobi Gourley and husband Rick; stepsons Larry Vasquez and son Alan, David Vasquez and wife Lisa and their children Noah, Allie and Phoenix who all loved Phil very much as he did them; brothers-in-law Fidel Trevino and wife Charlotte, Albert Trevino and wife Ludy, sisters-in-law Anna Farrer, Rosemary Hall and husband Jim, Ruth Horndt and husband J.R. This second family was a wonderful blessing to him. He also leaves to mourn, sisters Frieda Camina and husband Bob, Patt Crabtree and husband Sterling, Bobbie Fleming and husband Ed, and brother Ben McGrew and wife Kathleen; nieces and nephews, Tim Kosharek, Robert Camina, Karen Lange, David Crabtree, Stephanie Wehring, Shannon Ulloa, Bethany Throop, Eddie Fleming, Michael Fleming, Patrick McGrew and Courtney Estrada.

Pallbearers are Brett Coghlan, Al Gomez, J.R. Hornt, Ben McGrew, Lonnie Tegeler and David Wayne Vasquez. Honorary pallbearer is Larry Vasquez. Special thanks to Dee and Brett Coghlan and Anna Farrer.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham, Texas. Visitation will be held Friday, November 3, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham on Saturday, November 4, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Walt Schindehette officiating. A reception in celebration of Phil’s life will immediately follow at B.P.O.E. (Elks Lodge) #979. Memorials may be given to Hospice Brazos Valley.