Phillip Gregory Taylor

On May 31, 2025, Phillip Gregory Taylor (Phil), at the age of 62, became free from the neurological disorder that took away so much from who he was. Phil was born December 19, 1962, in Miami, Oklahoma to Paul and Ovella Taylor. Phil lived the majority of his life in Plano, Texas and proudly graduated from Plano Senior High School in 1981. He would later attend the University of Houston and graduate from Dallas Baptist University in 1998.

Although Phil was taken far too soon, he leaves an impression on those who called him son, brother, dad, nephew, uncle, cousin, coach, and friend. Those who love Phil will miss him very much, but we are comforted knowing that he is whole and free from this dreaded disorder.

Phil had a very full life in his 62 years. His family moved to Texas when he was about 5. The Taylors traveled in a camper to every state west of the Mississippi and to Canada and Mexico. Every summer, they would spend two to three weeks on the road and visiting his grandparents’ home on a farm in Oklahoma. Many cherished memories were made on the farm with his extended family.

Phil’s love of sports grew over the years. As early as he could, Phil was involved in one sport and sometimes in more than one at a time. He was even voted his sophomore year the “Most Athletic”. Even though he played several sports, baseball was his favorite. He played for Plano Senior High. He also was an athletic trainer for the Wildcat football team. Alongside three other trainers, Phil was offered a rare opportunity to continue their athletic training for the University of Houston football team. He enjoyed his time there and was able to participate in the “Coogs” playing in two bowl games, the Sun Bowl ‘81 and the Cotton Bowl ‘85.

In 1988, Phil reunited with high school friend, Amy Cowan, who eventually became his wife and best friend. After a gathering of mutual friends on St. Patrick’s Day, Phil and Amy began dating. Four and a half years later on June 27,1992, they were married at First Baptist Church in Plano. The couple share a love for baseball and planned their honeymoon to include various games and stadiums in California.

In 1996, Phil and Amy welcomed their first child, Brady Andrew, and their second child, Brock Allen, arrived in 1999. Phil was a very proud dad, and his world revolved around anything he could do with the boys including spreading his love of sports.

Phil started coaching the boys in every sport they wanted to play as soon as they were able. He enjoyed watching not only his sons, but all boys he coached grow in their athletic abilities. Phil did not just teach how to play the game, but also how to become respectful young men. Phil was more focused on how they would be as humans instead of just winning games.

Once Phil’s coaching days were over, he continued his support of the boys in baseball by serving as Plano West Booster Club president giving countless hours to do whatever he could to make sure the boys and their families had what they needed to be a successful program. Phil loved his time doing this.

Both Taylor boys went on to play baseball in college, and Phil and Amy enjoyed many road trips to travel around to see them play.

In addition to coaching and supporting the boys, Phil also worked at a restaurant supply company, and then for Verizon for 20+ years. He enjoyed his job as project manager and working alongside those who would become lifelong friends.

After diagnosis with the rare neurological disorder, he retired from Verizon and began going to work with a dear friend, John Egger, to do handy man jobs. Phil enjoyed doing this with John and sometimes Dane Christian until he just couldn’t physically or mentally keep up or stay safe.

Phil is survived by his wife Amy of almost 33 years, and his sons Brady and Brock who are all from Plano. He is also survived by his older brother Keith and his wife Ronda from Gladewater, Texas, five beloved nieces Season Taylor, Brandis Watts, Cammion Frazen, Heavin Taylor, and Ari Taylor. Also surviving Phil is his dear mother-in-law, Jerry Cowan of Plano. Many other extended family members who will miss Phil include special aunts, uncles, and cousins. Preceding Phil in death are his parents Paul and Ovella Taylor and his father-in-law Bill Cowan. Many beloved family and friends who meant the world to him also preceded him in death. What a joyful reunion that must have been!

A Celebration of Phil’s life will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Allen Family Funeral Options.  If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/113069

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart-to-Heart Hospice Foundation https://www.htohhfoundation.org/ or The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at https://donorservices.alz.org/