Philip Serrill

Philip Gardner Serrill, passed away peacefully at his home in Aransas Pass, Texas on October 29, 2017 at the age of 92 years old. He was truly a self-made man. He was eccentric but scrupulously honest, generous in many different areas of life, and a faithful friend. He didn't believe in loaning money but gave over and over to many in need.

Gardner was born May 8, 1925, in Bay City, Texas, and was the youngest of three boys. Gardner graduated from Bay City High School and, to repeat his words, "Barely made it out!" Therefore, it is most remarkable that he became the most successful of the three brothers, especially with the two older having both attended college.

Due to a disability, Gardner could not join the military during WWII, so he worked at Old Ocean Oil Refinery through the war's end, as well as various other jobs over his early working years. Before finding his life's career in shrimping, he towed barges on the Colorado and San Bernard Rivers, was a member of the Matagorda Volunteer Fire Department, and donated land to the Matagorda Cemetery, where he was instrumental in the building of a beautiful gazebo. He was one of the founders of the Shrimp Co-Op in Aransas Pass.

Gardner started working in the shrimping industry in Matagorda, where he met and married Janice Landrum. There they built a home and continued living there until the shrimping industry moved to Aransas Pass. They followed soon after, at which time Gardner started building his own boats. Janice worked on the boat alongside her husband, and the shrimping industry became their life. The ultimately owned their own fleet of boats. That became their lifelong passion and ambition. They did very well indeed.

Gardner is survived by his nephews, Stephen Wiltshire (Veronica) Serrill, and John Barber Serrill; nieces, Kathryn Blaine (Ken) Taylor of Fort Myers, Florida; Susan Oakford (David) Lowe of Indio, California, and Judith Ann Drake of Richmond, Virginia. He is preceded in death by his parents, George Edward and Minnie Barber Serrill; brothers, George Edward Serrill, Jr. and Jay Oakford Serrill, and niece, Elizabeth Serrill of Fort Myers, Florida.

Although Gardner had many, many friends, there are two men that must be specifically acknowledged: George Hydrick of Utopia, and James Barcak of Aransas Pass. These two gentlemen, along with their lovely wives, were true and faithful friends for many years. They cared for Gardner late in his life after Janice died, and remained his trusted friends, loyal and close to the very sad end. They were exhaustive in their attentiveness and care of their longtime friend. The family is forever grateful for their love and all they did over many years.

The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff at Nurses on Wheels and Anthem caregivers.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 12:00 pm- 8:00 pm with the family being present from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A graveside service will be held Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11:00 am at Matagorda Cemetery in Matagorda, Texas.