Clifton Phillips

Clifton Mark Phillips was born January 14, 1959 to Clifton Pope and Jean Harlene Phillips in Clarendon, Texas. He passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the age of 64.

Mark grew up with his brother and sister just outside of Clarendon through junior high, then moved to Stratford, Texas, where he graduated from Stratford High in 1977. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he played football for two years. Shortly after college he was employed by Santa Fe/BNSF Railway in 1980 as a track welder, retiring in 2012.

In 1984 Mark was united in marriage to Leta Jeannine Garner of Kiowa, Kansas. Together three children were born, Clayton, and twins, Samantha and Matthew Phillips. They lived just north of Kiowa, and in 2000 they moved to the Garner family farm north of Hazelton.

Mark enjoyed spending time with his family and kids at all their sporting events, school activities and holidays. He loved raising cattle, working in his garden, fishing, and all kinds of outdoor activities. His most recent years have been spent watching his grandchildren grow up and start their activities. Dyson, River, and Laken are his pride and joy! He enjoyed taking them to feed the cows, fishing, gardening, and working around the farm. Mark never knew a stranger and will be remembered for the kindness he showed to all.  As a result he would talk anyone’s leg off.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Clifton and Harlene; brother, Wayne; grandparents; aunts; uncles, and one brother-in-law, Darren Garner.

He is survived by his wife, Leta Phillips of Hazelton; son, Clay Phillips of Kiowa; daughter, Sammi (Jarrod) Inman of Kiowa; son, Matt Phillips of Kiowa; grandsons, Dyson, River, and Laken Inman of Kiowa; sister, Brenda (Mike) Mollet of Ponca City, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Dominick) Zappia of Dillon, Colorado and DeeDee Graves of Kiowa; nieces and nephews, Amanda, Jay, BreAnna, Brittany, Sierra, Chelsee, Zach and Zabrina; great nieces; great nephews; cousins; aunts; uncles; many friends, and three very special fur babies, Jackie Sue, Jezzy and Jax.

Funeral service for Mark will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Kiowa United Methodist Church with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hazelton. Visitation will be Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Memorials may be given to the Barber County Fire Wagons or the Barber County Fair Board through Lanman Funeral Home.