MFISD: ‘The Michael Phillips Maintenance Facility’
The family of Michael Phillips poses for a photo with Marble Falls Independent School District leadership at the naming ceremony of the newly-dubbed “Michael Phillips Maintenance Facility.” Pictured here are MFISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway (left), MFISD Trustee Mandy McCary, MFISD Trustee Crystal Tubig, Phillips’ daughter Megan and granddaughter Paxton, and wife Cecilia Phillips, MFISD Trustee Larry Berkman, and MFISD Trustee Kevin Naumann. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
During a warm, solemn ceremony on the morning of Friday, Oct. 9, the Marble Falls Independent School District honored the memory of Michael Phillips with a naming ceremony at its maintenance facility. Phillips worked for the district for 28 years, leaving a lasting mark on the campuses of the Mustangs, before he was killed while serving as volunteer fire chief during the deadly flash floods of July 2025.
The MFISD maintenance facility, located at 306 Industrial Boulevard in Marble Falls, is now officially the Michael Phillips Maintenance Facility. Phillips began work with the district in 1995 and made his way up to the director of maintenance by 2002. He retired in 2023.
Friday’s ceremony was led in prayer by MFISD Trustee Kevin Naumann.
“We thank You for Michael Phillips, we thank You for his life that he lives so well, we thank You for the work that he did behind this building and across our district, across our community.
“More importantly though, we pray and we thank You for his legacy that he lived. Thank You for the joy that he brought to our lives, the kindness, the gentleness that he shared with us so well.
“We thank You most of all for the love that he gave to this place and these people
“We pray that as people drive down this road, enter these doors, see his name on this building, that we are reminded of his legacy.”
MFISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway dedicated the building.
“This building is a fitting tribute to a man who spent 28 years of his life taking care of our district,” Gasaway said. “He gave his life during our floods. He spent his days serving others. To Michael’s family, please know how grateful we are for what he gave us and the lasting difference he made.”
Phillips lost his life in the line of duty while responding to the devastating flash flfoods 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.