Jimmy Phillips (Texas)

Jimmy Phillips (May 13, 1913—January 14, 2002) was a Texas State Senator from Angleton, Texas in the 1940s and 50s.

Early life

Phillips was born in Brazoria County, Texas, on May 17, 1913. He was orphaned at an early age and raised by extended family and friends in Angleton. He helped to support himself from his earnings as a shoe shine boy and by selling newspapers and magazines. He attended the Angleton public schools. After graduating from Angleton High School, Jimmy graduated from the University of Texas and the University of Texas Law School.

Political service

In 1940, Phillips was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Brazoria County, and he was re-elected in 1942. Early in 1943, Jimmy resigned as a state representative and volunteered to become a private in the U.S. Army. After serving in military intelligence in the U.S. Army, he was honorably discharged having reached the rank of sergeant in 1946. Later that same year, Phillips was elected to the Texas Senate representing the 17th Senate District which included all of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda and Wharton counties. Senator Phillips served in the Texas Senate from January 1947 until 1963. In 1953, he was elected by the other senators to serve as President Pro Tem of the Texas Senate.

In his obituary, the newspaper wrote, "As a state senator, Jimmy was extremely cautious about spending the money paid into the state treasury by Texas citizens. During his years...
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