Phil Brewer

Philip Terry Brewer was a unique gentleman. Even the date of his birth was distinctive and memorable, Phil having been born on 5/5/55, in San Antonio, Texas. Phil died at 60 years of age on November 4, 2015, in Lubbock, Texas, following a brief hospitalization. Phil was a man of many talents, educated and well-read, a commendable athlete, and an accomplished lawyer. He was, in the truest sense, a man of genius. Phil never found it necessary to stay too long in any level of his education, graduating from Midland (TX) High School in 1973 after only three years of attendance. He then entered McMurry College (now University) in 1973, and graduated with highest academic honors (summa cum laude) in 1976. From there, Phil was admitted to the University of Texas School of Law, where he was awarded his juris doctorate in 1979. Phil moved to Roswell in 1979, and joined the Hinkle law firm. In the years that followed, Phil began to focus his practice on matters involving energy and natural resources, and was associated with several outstanding Roswell lawyers. Phil found his true niche, however, when he established his own independent practice at his office on 4th Street in Roswell, where he continued to practice until the time of his death. True to his unique nature, Phil dubbed the offices “Pegasus Place,” a reference to the mythical winged horse that had long been the symbol of Mobil Oil. When the folks at Mobil decided that some lawyer in Roswell had begun improperly using their symbol, they tried to force Phil to stop doing so. Phil reached an agreement with them that made them think they’d won, but those of us who have been to Phil’s office know that he had the last laugh. The winged horse still flies there, proudly keeping watch over Phil’s domain. Phil’s brilliance allowed him to solve a legal problem or a math problem with equal ability, but he was most at home in the law. During his career, he was licensed to practice in both Texas and New Mexico, and was Board certified in Natural Resources law. He was named a Best Lawyer in America in Oil & Gas, and a Southwest Super Lawyer in Energy & Natural Resources, accomplishments and recognitions reserved for only the best. Phil’s considerable accomplishments in the law were overshadowed by his generosity in giving his time and talent to many worthy causes. For many years, his name has been synonymous with the administration of the Eastern NM State Fair, and he also served on the Board of CASA, an organization dedicated to helping children in difficult circumstances. Perhaps Phil’s greatest gifts were to McMurry University. Phil enjoyed a lengthy tenure on McMurry’s Board of Trustees, and served as its Chairman from 2010 to 2012. Phil was named McMurry’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2002. Those achievements are well known. Less well known, however, was the fact that a great many McMurry students owe at least some portion of their college education to the financial generosity of Phil Brewer, who quietly and without notoriety provided scholarship funding. The Lord knows Phil as a cheerful giver, and a faithful man, and has welcomed him home. Phil’s work with youth also extended to high school students in Chaves County. Along with a few other lawyers in Roswell, Phil served as a volunteer coach of the Dexter High Mock Trial team for several years. One of his teams was especially skilled, and captured the second place trophy in State competition, defeating schools from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos along the way. Those schools were all bigger and richer, but none as well coached as The Brew Crew from Dexter. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Patsy Brewer. Those who survive Phil are his beloved wife Jennifer, and their many four-footed creatures including Felix the Cat, and most notably their little terrier Mr. Goldberg, who was often seen helping Phil practice law at Pegasus Place. Phil is also survived by his sister Martha Hull and husband Gene and their children, and his aunt Sara Terry of Ft. Worth, Texas. Finally, Phil is survived by his law partner and good friend of many years, Adriann Ragsdale, who has been a constant source of professional support. The family wishes to announce that there will be a memorial service on Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 pm MST, at the First United Methodist Church of Roswell, followed by a reception at The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art. Anyone wishing to honor Phil’s memory may do so by making a donation to either the Roswell Humane Society at 703 E. McGaffey in Roswell 88203; or to McMurry University, at Box 938, Abilene, Texas 79697, or you may access the university’s website at www.mcm.edu, and donate on-line. For the rest of us, Phil was our dear friend, a man we loved and trusted without limit. He shined as brightly as any star, and gave us light even in those times that seemed so dark. Our world is made dimmer by Phil’s passing, but in time, our sorrow will give way to treasured memories of the love and laughter that Phil gave all of us. We will miss him always. John 15:13 Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family of Phil in the online register at andersonbethany.com. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Phil Brewer

May 5, 1955 - November 4, 2015