James Gist Obituary

James Phillip Gist, 62, passed away peacefully while sleeping during the early hours of Thursday, November 9th, at his home in Dickinson, Texas. Phil was the youngest of five children. Born in Durango, Colorado, Phil attended elementary school in the U.S., middle school in Jakarta, Indonesia, and graduated from The American School in London, England. He earned his BS degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and his Master's degree in Psychology from the U of H, Clear Lake. Prior to his career in law enforcement, Phil worked as a behavioral counselor to troubled teens. In 1984, He accepted his first law enforcement assignment as a Police Officer for Lufkin PD. While serving as Sergeant for Dickinson PD, Phil was credited for founding their police motorcycle division. He continued his Sergeant's career with the campus police department at the U of H , Clear Lake. In 2012, Phil accepted the position of Patrol Officer with the Clear Lake Shores PD., and ended his law enforcement career this past March by retiring from the position of Asst. Chief. The mayor, along with an abundance of support from the residents of Clear Lake Shores, honored Phil's outstanding commitment to their community by proclaiming August 1st as Asst. Chief Phil Gist Day. His badge number was retired as well. Phil maintained his passion for motorcycling throughout his career by providing police escorts for over-sized loads, community events, and funerals. He also enjoyed Mardi Gras in Galveston, fishing, coin collecting, casino blackjack, dartboard, crawfish boils, listening to Classic Rock music, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Phil first met his wife, Karen, on the 26th of October, 2007. They were married five years later on the 26th of October, 2012. Their union blended six children: Lauren Perry and husband, Christopher; Aaron Gist and wife, Jessica; Alane Savoie and husband Marty; Anson, Caleb, and Joshua. They were blessed to welcome the arrival of eight grandchildren: Maddox, Jhett, Nolan, AnnaClaire, Mason, Everly, Baylor, and Jace. They also lovingly welcomed into their family, Hannah Glader, Sara Martin, and Courtney Barry. Phil will be greatly missed and forever loved by his very special family. Phil will also be deeply missed by his siblings, Ken Gist and wife, Debra; Greg Gist and wife, Deanne; Suzy Davis and husband, Dennis; brother-in-law, Glen Pennington, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, and cousins. It is said that the character of a man's friends reflects the quality of his life. The friends Phil held close are: Christian Cox, Ricky Dixon, Tracy Keele, David Donaldson, Scott Mason, Dave McCloskey, Chet Rich, and Jerry Schmiedlin. Preceding Phil in death are his father, Albert Nealy Gist, his mother, Nancy Drake Gist, and his sister, Katy Gist Pennington.