CORRIGAN — Funeral services were held for Donald K. Phillips Sr., 73, on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Corrigan. The life of Don Phillips began on March 27, 1936, when he was born in Ragland, Ala. to M.C. and Carrie Phillips. Don grew up and attended school in Garrison and became a football star in the early 1950s. He graduated from Garrison in 1954 and was recruited by several colleges such as LSU, Texas A&M and finally signed with Rice University. Don received a full scholarship to Rice to play football. Don was part of the Rice Owls exceptional season of 1957. Don could recall every game that season, including the Texas A&M game and the 1958 Cotton Bowl. Don used to say that was one of the best times of his life. Don went on to graduate from Rice University and then played in the Canadian Football League for the British Colombia Lions until getting injured and returning to Texas. Don then went to Garrison and coached a couple of years before moving to Corrigan to coach and teach in 1967 and 1968 and making Corrigan his home for over 30 years. He then left the education field to work for the Texas Highway Department for over 10 years, but continued to be involved with sports as he was a referee for many years in football and basketball and umpired baseball. He was forced to retire from the highway department after a heart attack in 1982, but still stayed in sports, as he was a sports writer for the Corrigan Times and many other local newspapers. The things he enjoyed the most were watching and being involved with sports, playing dominoes and spending time with his family and friends, especially his granddaughter Dorothy, who was the light of his life. He lived life to the fullest, but that journey ended on Oct. 9, 2009 as God called him home. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sue Phillips; parents, M.C. Phillips and Carrie Carlisle and brother, Jerry Phillips. He is survived by his son, Keith Phillips of Corrigan; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Roland Popham of Corrigan; granddaughter, Dorothy Popham of Corrigan; nephew, Danny Phillips and his wife Belinda of Garrison; niece, Debbie Mosher of Nacogdoches; sister-in-law, Nell Phillips of Garrison and special friend, Johnnie Snider of Center. Pallbearers were Danny Phillips, Blake Phillips, Jym Lewis, Randy Bridges, Toto Flores and Bill Sanders. Honorary pallbearers were Hal Hubbard Sr., Bob Barton, Stacy Adams, Richard Reeves and Jimmy Payne. Corrigan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.