Gary Phillips had married his college sweetheart, Judy, but tragically, she passed away after battling COPD. After losing his beloved wife, he remained unmarried.
American professional basketball player Gary A. Phillips, born on December 7, 1939, passed away on January 26, 2025, at the age of 85.
His family and friends confirmed his demise, mentioning that his health had been declining in recent years.
Gary was the first University of Houston men’s basketball player to earn first-team All-America honors.
Also, he won an NBA championship with the Celtics in his rookie season in 1961.
After his time with the Celtics, he played four seasons with the San Francisco Warriors.
Phillips was known for his contributions to the early success of the University of Houston’s basketball program under coach Guy V. Lewis.
He was the first player from UH to earn first-team All-America honors in 1972.
Phillips retired from professional basketball at the age of 27 after playing five seasons in the NBA due to a ligament injury.
Following his retirement, he transitioned into a successful business career and worked in real estate.
Gary And His Wife, Judy, Were Proud Parents Of Two Children, A Son And A Daughter!
Gary and his wife, Judy Phillips, lived in Hunt, TX, for over 19 years. He owned 3-H Storage, a self-storage facility in Kerrville, TX.
He once revealed in an interview his deep love for his wife, mentioning that they had spent 32 wonderful years together.
Moreover, he shared how he married his high school sweetheart and how they were married for almost 3 decades but only lived together for six months.
He fondly remembered stealing Judy away from his big brother at his fraternity in Houston.
Judy passed away before Gary, and he admitted it was very tough, as he still wasn’t over the loss.
His wife, Judy, had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and suffered a stroke. While she recovered reasonably well, she struggled with walking and eventually had another ministroke.
They spent a lot of time together watching movies on Netflix. Gary mentioned that their doctor had warned him five years ago that a time would come, which happened very quickly.
He wasn’t prepared for it. One night, he noticed her breathing was becoming more complex.
This was on a Friday when she was admitted to the hospital, and tragically, Judy passed away on Sunday morning.
He once said,
I guess when my wife got sick. God gave me the emotions and the strength to deal with that and to be a servant to her and to take care of her, but he hasn’t yet given me the strength to deal with it. I still have periods of remorse, of loneliness and guilt, and all those things that you wish had done differently.
After Judy’s death, Gary lived in the house they had built together, where Judy had chosen every piece of furniture.
To avoid loneliness, he also spent time with his children and grandchildren.
Now, Gary joins her in peace, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gary Phillips’ family, friends, and admirers. We will deeply miss his remarkable talent and impact on the world of sports.
Rest In Peace Legend!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Phillips was a two-time team captain and a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection.
- In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a star under coach Guy V. Lewis.
- He finished his collegiate career with 1,452 points.
