Phil Whitson

Retired Deacon

Deacon Phillip Whitson as ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 4, 2011 at St. Mary's Cathedral by Bishop Patrick Zurek and was assigned to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish where he has been a member since 2010. He currently leads a Why Catholic? Group and a Disciple Bible Study, in addition to liturgical functions.

Deacon Phil was born in Washington, Indiana on November 19, 1953 and moved to Vivian Louisiana in 1968. He graduated from North Caddo High School in 1971. He holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Education from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA.

In 1979 he married Sandra Kleuskens, from Hereford, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Umbarger, TX. Together they had two children, Brandon (1983) and Brittany (1987), and 5 grandchildren. Sandra passed away July 2010 after a long and valiant fight with Multiple Sclerosis.

Deacon Phil currently is the Chief Financial Officer for the Diocese of Amarillo, a position he he has held since 2003. The work is more vocation and occupation as the rewards of helping others outweighs some of the struggles that come with working with finances.

Deacon Phil's favorite scripture is Psalms 19:14- "Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer."