Port Isabel, TX, - Carl Phillips, 77, of Port Isabel, TX, left this world to join his parents and two of his brothers, Joe and Clyde, in God's kingdom on October 29, 2010; born March 17, 1933, he was the oldest son of the late Wendell and Harriett Phillips of Franklin, NC. Carl enlisted in the Navy in December 1951 and served as a photographer on the aircraft carrier USS Saipan (CVL-48). In 1953, during service off the coast of Korea, he was accepted for flight training, earned his wings and accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he became a jet reconnaissance photo pilot. He was a musician with a C&W band in the early 1960s, with a half-dozen 45 RPM records released of his own material. He could be seen and heard singing in recent months at various South Padre Island venues. He was a certified hospital consultant for many years, employed by Dallas Surgical Supply and Texas Hospital Supply in Dallas, Texas; and Fillauer Surgical Supply of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He served as commander of American Legion Post 214 in Irving, Texas; and as the Legion's Fifth District Chaplain in Dallas County. In the spring of 1991 he was given just weeks to live due to congestive heart failure, but in July he received a heart transplant that gave him a new lease on life. Carl was a resident of Brownsville and Port Isabel for over 30 years. He co-owned and edited the Golden Burro (later the Texas Beachcomber); and he wrote for several newspapers and publications in the Rio Grande Valley over the years. He was honored for his reporting by a joint proclamation issued by the mayors of South Padre Island and Port Isabel. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Port Isabel and sang in the choir for many years, serving as its director for three years. He was a certified lay speaker in the McAllen District of the Southwest Texas Conference. Carl is survived by his daughters, Ramona LaBarre of Barto, PA and Rebecca Fisher (Ken) of San Antonio; his sons, Michael Phillips (Toni) of Divide, CO; and Daniel Phillips of Portland, OR; brothers John Phillips (Karen) of Milton, FL and Paul Phillips (Beverly) of Hollywood, MD; a sister, Betty Snell (Tim) of Lebanon, IN; five granddaughters, two grandsons, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held on Monday, November 8, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at First United Methodist Church located at 101 W. Adams St. in Port Isabel with Rev. Sue Huntsman officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 498 and V.F.W. Post 8791 both of Port Isabel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CIMA Hospice of the Valley, LP, 5003 N. McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504. Words of comfort can be sent to the family of Carl Phillips at www.thomaegarza.com Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S Sam Houston, San Benito, TX (956) 399-1331.