Warren Phipps is laid to rest in Arlington

Retired Major General Warren E. Phipps, Jr. was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Feb. 11.

General Phipps earned several awards through his support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and advisement to senior leaders. A Distinguished Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and Bronze Star Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster rank high among the many accolades from superiors, peers and subordinates.

Phipps dedicated his life to service. After 35 years in the U.S. Army, he spent his retirement with several organizations that witnessed his leadership by example, his generosity and strong moral compass in his work and private life. These include Metro Ministry, Salvation Army Christus Spohn Health System, the City of Corpus Christi, the Gulf Coast Humane Society, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and the American Red Cross. 

He served as the Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Recovery Group when Hurricane Harvey devastated the Coastal Bend communities. Phipps immediately responded to the needs of many families affected by the storm. 

He assisted those in need with food and material distribution by volunteering through the Food Bank of the Coastal Bend. He lent his strategic planning expertise to long-term disaster recovery efforts. General Phipps was able to build what he liked to call, "a coalition of the willing", to repair and rebuild homes that were destroyed by Hurricanes Harvey and Hanna for families that lacked the resources to recover on their own. His leadership in this collaborative effort enabled 621 families to return to their reconstructed homes while assisting many others with additional unmet needs. In March 2020, he took the position of Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. and Mother Teresa Shelter, Inc. with a heart to help the homeless.

Warren Phipps is survived by his wife Sylvia Phipps, their sons Brian Phipps, Kevin Phipps and daughter-in-law, Katherine Phipps. He also leaves behind three grandchildren: Ruby, Beau and Koral. 

Phipps was born on June 18, 1960, and passed away suddenly on Oct. 25, 2021.

The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. catholiccharities-cc.org and or Mother Teresa Shelter, Inc. motherteresashelter.org. Under tribute In¬ formation please state: " In Memory of Warren E. Phipps, Jr''.