Phillip Michael DeHoyos

Phillip Michael DeHoyos, age 83, of Amarillo, died March 13, 2023, in Amarillo.

A rosary will be said on Thursday, March 16, 2021, at 6:00 PM at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 South Georgia.  The funeral mass will be on Friday, March 17, 2023, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.  The celebrant will be Rev. Anthony Neusch, and Msgr Rex Nicholl will concelebrate.

Interment will follow at Llano Cemetery.

Phillip was born on March 29, 1939, in Goodland, Texas, to Cruz and Sofia Garcia DeHoyos.  He graduated from Three Way High School and went on to attend the University of Texas at El Paso, but only after he enlisted in the United States Army in 1961.  In 1964 he graduated from the Dallas Police Academy and married his first wife, Rebecca, on May 17, 1964, at the First Mexican Baptist Church in Dallas.  The couple raised their family and shared an extraordinary life together until Rebecca died in 2001.

Phillip was the third Hispanic police officer ever hired at the Dallas Police Department.  He excelled as an undercover narcotics officer.  He was highly regarded in his field and was recruited by the US Customs Department/DEA.  While working with customs, he again worked as an undercover narcotics officer at the University of Texas at El Paso.  Phillip was a valuable member of his team and flew many missions into Mexico to burn poppy fields, putting his life in danger at every turn.  Later he was stationed at the US Customs Bridge.  As the family grew and a more stable life was desired, Phillip jumped at the chance to accept a promotion and was assigned to the DFW International Airport as Customs Supervisor and Chief Inspector.  In 1986, Phillip received a transfer to Amarillo and, for the next decade, would serve as the US Customs Port Director at the Rick Husband International Airport in Amarillo until his retirement in 1997.

Living in the Panhandle gave Phillip easy access to some of his favorite places, like the mountains and lakes.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, something he shared with his children from an early age and into adulthood.  In 2001, Phillip lost his wife, Rebecca, after sharing life together for almost forty years.

A few years later, Phillip would find love again, and on July 3, 2004, he married Herlinda “Linda” Ruiz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  He would spend the next few years introducing Linda and her children to the world of fishing, boating, and hunting.  He also would open the world up for Linda, traveling all over.

To say that Phillip was a servant would be a gross understatement.  Phillip lived a life of service, from serving his country in the US Army to putting his life on the line in law enforcement to keep communities safe and serving as District Governor with the Lions Club.  He was a true leader with firm beliefs and convictions.   Phillip was respectful, intuitive, and full of character and high integrity.  He was tough and demanded his children model their lives on his, and they did.  He led by example, teaching them life skills and an impeccable work ethic.  Phillip set the bar high for everyone around him and accepted nothing less.

As tough as he was, he also was very loving.  He adored his family and was so proud of each of them.  As the years passed, he found a new passion, his grandchildren.  They brought him so much joy, and he cherished his time with them.

The world has lost one of the best.  Phillip, or “The Legend” as he was known,  made his mark on the planet and lived only as he could, leading the way for others and making the world a little safer.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Stella, Bertha, and Gloria; and his first wife, Rebecca.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Herlinda “Linda” DeHoyos; his daughters, Rachel DeHoyos and her wife Cindy Prestidge of Canyon, Tonya DeHoyos Detten and her husband, Stephen Jr of Panhandle; his sons, Steve DeHoyos and his love Kristin Morton of Illinois, Daniel DeHoyos of Panhandle and Linda’s Children whom he loved and cherished as his own,  Patty Wood and her husband Paul of Amarillo; and Ruben Guerrero and his wife Beth of Sunray; his sister Connie Riojas and her husband Charlie of Austin; his brother Danny DeHoyos and his wife Dee Dee; his grandchildren, Stephen and wife Emily, Phillip and wife Vanessa, Anthony Michael and his wife Mari, Jared and his wife Mandy, Aaron and his wife Hannah and Taylor, Kayla and Emily;  and his great-grandchildren, Ryleigh, McKinley, Evie, Zaylee, Madelyne, Bellamae, Julian, London, Ivan, Remington and Reagan.