Wallace Scott Phillips, affectionately known as Scott, was born on April 26, 1960, in Austin, Texas, to Wally and Carlota Phillips. On September 24, 2024, Scott passed away peacefully at his home in Denton, surrounded by the love of his family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and dedication that touched countless lives.

A successful businessman in sales and real estate, Scott eventually discovered his true passion as an educator. For many years, he shaped young minds as a middle school teacher, and his most cherished role came in his final teaching assignment at the Denton County Juvenile Justice Center. It was there that Scott felt he made his greatest impact, guiding and inspiring students who needed his compassion and wisdom the most.

Scott was always looking for new experiences, and his interests and talents were broad and varied. He was a gifted cook, a published author, an accomplished ballroom dancer, a surprisingly good painter, and quite a decent maker of wine and cheese. He dabbled in woodworking, loved to travel with his family, and was a talented coach and adored Cub Scout leader. Scott even survived a planned attack-dog assault, embracing life with courage and curiosity.

After receiving his cancer diagnosis more than eight years ago, he set a goal of walking the Camino de Santiago, a 566-mile hike across Spain. He accomplished his challenge virtually—with cancer and two hip implants—by hiking in Denton due to the Covid pandemic's closure of Spain. After he completed that, he also finished six more long-distance virtual challenges, including the Appalachian Trail and swimming the English Channel.

Scott is survived by a large and loving family including his devoted wife of 40 years, Julie Phillips; their beloved children Walter Phillips and Kimberly Phillips Zimmerman and their spouses Jenny Dillon Phillips and Keenan Zimmerman; the cherished McLaren family including Kelli McLaren, Julie Browning and her two children Kai and Sam, Bryan McLaren, and Jordan McLaren Wright and her spouse Dawson Wright; his darling grandchildren Nolan Zimmerman and Nora Zimmerman; and many treasured relatives and friends who were part of Scott's extended family.

Scott Phillips was a man of many roles—husband, father, granddaddy, teacher, artist, adventurer—but above all, he was a man of heart. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, from his family to his students, and in every corner where his laughter, kindness, and wisdom were felt.