MFISD to rename maintenance facility in honor of Chief Phillips
The Marble Falls Independent School District Maintenance Facility will soon be named after former Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips. He worked for the district for decades and served as fire chief until he was killed in the line of duty during the Fourth of July floods of 2025. File photos
The Marble Falls Independent School District will host a ceremony next week to rename its maintenance facility in honor of the late Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips.
The ceremony begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, at the soon-to-be Michael Phillips Maintenance Facility, 306 Industrial Boulevard in Marble Falls.
Prior to becoming the VFD chief, Phillips served the school district for nearly 30 years as part of the maintenance crew, working his way up from the air conditioning specialist to the director.
The MFISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the district’s maintenance facility during an Aug. 24 meeting.
“Michael Phillips was a joy and a proud member of Marble Falls ISD since 1995,” Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway said during the meeting. “He retired in January 2023. He was no longer with us (when he passed), but he was someone who continued to love on us and our kids.”
Phillips lost his life in the line of duty while responding to the devastating flash floods that ravaged Central Texas in July 2025. It is believed that he and his vehicle were swept away while attempting to cross Cow Creek on FM 1174 near Marble Falls.
Phillips’ vehicle was recovered, but his body was never found. He is one of the last victims of the flood to remain missing, despite several search attempts by local and state agencies.
Since his passing, Phillips has been honored in numerous ways, including a large memorial service in Marble Falls, a cross dedicated in Kerrville, induction into the Texas Emergency Services Hall of Honor, the renaming of a local park, receiving the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Medal of Valor, a plaque at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, the dedication of a new fire station, and an honor walk.