Longtime businessman, Phillip Kight Woodburn died October 2, 2023. He was 79 years old.
Memorial service will be held at 9:00 AM, Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Boxwell Brothers. Interment will be private in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.
Mr. Woodburn was born April 14, 1944 in Amarillo, TX to Charles Russell Woodburn and Lois Ailene Kight. He was the great-grandson of two pioneer families, Col. & Mrs. E.T. Woodburn of Hereford, TX and Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Russell of Amarillo, TX. He attended public schools in Amarillo and Turpin, OK, graduating from Amarillo High School in 1962. He attended Amarillo College and Panhandle A & M College.
Mr. Woodburn was a second-generation Eagle Scout and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Member of Troop 86. In February 1965, he enlisted in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Bn 142d Inf, 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard. He also served in the 829th Station Hospital, Lubbock, TX as a First Sergeant. He retired from the National Guard in 1987 at the rank of Master Sergeant.
He was employed in the family business, Russell Stationary Company from 1959-until 1983 when it merged with Elliot Office Supply to form Elliott/Russell Office Supply where he was the Information Systems Manager until his retirement in 2008.
Mr. Woodburn served on numerous boards both locally and statewide. He was Secretary of the Amarillo Jaycees and a member of the Rotary Club of Amarillo. He was a life member of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society and served on the Board of Directors. Mr. Woodburn spent 32 years on the field as a high school and collegiate football official. He served 17 years as the Assigning Secretary of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials- Football. He officiated the Texas High School All-Star Football game in 1988 and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in July 2010.
Mr. Woodburn was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Amarillo, having served as Deacon.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lois Kight Woodburn; and father, Charles Russell Woodburn.
Mr. Woodburn is survived by his daughter, Shelley Faust and her husband Rich of Tulsa, OK; son, Brian Kight Woodburn and his wife Georjane of Glenpool, OK; was “Grandpa” to Kristina Reta and her husband Joey, Trevor Kight Woodburn, John Faust, Anne Faust, and William Faust; great grandpa to Jaxson Reta. Mr. Woodburn is also survived by his brothers, David Woodburn and wife Alicia, and Doug Woodburn and wife Caroline; sister, Shelley Lippincott; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand nephews.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be given the Panhandle Plains Historical Society or a favorite charity.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, Friday, October 6, 2023, at the funeral home.
I will always remember with warmth the friendliness of Phillip. He had the tough job of keeping football officials happy with his assigning. He did this well and treated everyone fairly. He was also fair in business when he and a partner had a software platform for assigning officials. Simply put – Phillip made everyone around him better while having fun in the process.
Phillip, you were a good friend. Your memory will be everlasting!
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother, father, grandpa and friend. To David and Alicia, my heart breaks for you as you mourn the loss of your brother and brother-in-law. Our prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Terry and John Collins
We are so sorry for your loss. Georjane, Brian and Trevor, Kris, and all your family, you all are in our hearts and prayers. I am thankful you were able to spend the last year + with your dad!
We love you guys!
Royse Anne and Jeff
We always enjoyed seeing Phillip at Woodburn events. He was always very pleasant to visit with; our sympathies to your family.
I had the privilege of taking care of his father and getting to know the family. Phillip was a very kind friend. It was a blessing to have known him.
Phillip was a genuinely kind man and I enjoyed visiting with him at many Woodburn gatherings. He was a wealth of knowledge and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed.
I first met Philip Wharton, 35 years ago as a young official joining Amarillo Football Officials Association. He invested in me and my growth as an official in ways I can never repay.
He leaves a great legacy of his investment into others behind. Phillip you will be missed greatly!
You will be forever missed I was so honored to be your hairstylist
So very, very sorry to hear about Phillip’s passing. He was a great guy.