Phillip Lybrand

Phillip Lybrand was born on April 23, 1964, in Amarillo, Texas, to Bennie and Carole Lybrand. He graduated from Lamesa High School in Lamesa, Texas, Jacksonville Baptist College in Jacksonville, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He retired on September 1, 2025, from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as an Industrial Specialist IV.

Phillip placed his faith in Jesus at the age of 11 and lived out that relationship faithfully throughout his life. He spent most of his adult years in Jacksonville, Texas, where he was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church and served in many roles, including Awana Commander, student ministries volunteer, choir and vocal ensemble member, and on various leadership committees. In recent years, he and his wife built a home in LaRue, Texas, where he joined Leagueville Baptist Church. He found deep joy in woodworking, crafting furniture and other pieces in his shop, and took great satisfaction in productive days spent on his tractor tending to his land.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, H. H. and Marie Lybrand and A. B. and Johnnie Middleton, his father, Bennie Lybrand, his brother, Keith Lybrand, and his granddaughter, Leah Elizabeth Dean. Phillip is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Jan Lybrand; his children and their spouses, Kaley and Matthew Dean, Kelsey and J. W. Gonzales, and Kevin and Betsy Lybrand; his grandchildren, John Dean, Nathan Dean, Abigail Dean, Brayden Lybrand, Preston Gonzales, Kennedy Lybrand, and Rachel Dean, along with two grandchildren expected to join the family soon. He is also survived by his mother, Carole Lybrand, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John F. “Buddy” and Jeanette Aultman, his sister-in-law, Lydia Lybrand, his brothers-in-law and their wives, John David and Gena Aultman, and Jason and Toya Aultman, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

On March 4, 2026, Phillip was doing what he loved—working outside on his land with his tractor—when he stepped from this life into the presence of his Savior.