When greeting his rescue dog Koda, he would often say "Hey, Buddy!", then pick him up for a belly rub.
Philip Nelson Black, 29 of McKinney, Texas, died near his home on Monday, September 21, 2020. Philip took his life after dealing with mental health issues over the past year or so. It is unclear when his decline began but seemed to develop over recent years, not just months.
Philip was born in Carrollton, Texas, and was a 2009 graduate of Newman Smith High School. During Philip’s sophomore and junior years, he performed on trumpet (soprano bugle) with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2007 & 2008).
Immediately following high school, Philip went through basic training for the United States Marine Corps at MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton. He served a 4-year enlistment until 2013 as a soprano bugler in “The Commandant’s Own” The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps stationed at Marine Barracks Washington D.C. During his enlistment, “The Commandant’s Own” performed in France, Japan, Iwo Jima, Guam, as well as throughout the United States. He completed his enlistment at the rank of Sergeant and was decorated with the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal award. As part of his duties, Philip performed taps at military funerals and special military ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. He was featured during a joint performance of “The Commandant’s Own” and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as a solo bugler.
Philip completed a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas (Denton, Texas) in 2017. He was a trumpet student of Allen Vizzutti, Keith Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Eric Swisher, and Freddie Jones.
Upon graduation, Philip was hired as a band director at Centennial High School of Frisco, Texas, and continued in that position into 2020. Recently, Philip began pursuing a career as a software engineer and was actively learning various languages of computer coding.
Philip’s hobbies included caring for his rescue dog, Koda, learning how to code, and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. Philip loved to discuss all things related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a particular preference for Thor and Captain America.
Philip is survived by parents John and Dessa Black (Dallas, TX), his brother Paul and sister-in-law Michelle Black (McKinney, TX). Philip was very proud of his loving rescue dog Koda and his close relationship with Katie Morris.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Philip to be made to one of the following non-profits:
Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps (madisonscouts.org),
Operation Kindness (operationkindness.org),
Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)
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About |
|---|---|
| Name | Philip Black |
| Date of Birth | April 4th, 1991 |
| Date of Death | September 21st, 2020 |
| Home Town | Carrollton, TX, US |
| Other City | McKinney, TX, US |
| Interests | Marvel, Marvel, & MARVEL (especially Thor and Captain America), computer games, playing trumpet & performances, being a music educator, cars/Pickups (buying/trading 5 between 2012 - 2020!)...maybe it was 6. Family lost track. Red Camry, Red Scion FRZ, Black Toyota Tundra, White Camry, Black Toyota Tacoma. |
| In Memoriam Donation | Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps |
| In Memoriam Donation | Operation Kindness - Animal Rescue Shelter |
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Memorial |
|---|---|
| Funeral Home | Aria Cremation (ariacremation.com) |
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Family |
|---|---|
| Siblings | Paul Black |
| Parents | Dessa Black, John Black |
| Grand-Parents | Beverly Tucker Black, Jack Lee Nelson, Mary Frances Nelson, Vernon Bentley Black |
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Milestones |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 - 2009 | Newman Smith High School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, HS Diploma | ||
| 2007 | Trumpet/Soprano, Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps | ||
| 2007 | Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO) Wind Symphony | ||
| 2007 | Joint performance with Dallas Wind Symphony | ||
| 2008 | Trumpet/Soprano, Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps | ||
| 2008 | GDYO Wind Symphony | ||
| 2009 | GDYO Wind Symphony | ||
| 2009 | Boot Camp Graduation as Private First Class, MCRD San Diego, USMC | ||
| 2009 | Graduate, Marine Combat Training, Camp Pendleton, USMC | ||
| 2009 | Delayed Entry Program acceptance, USMC | ||
| 2009 - 2013 | Trumpet/Soprano Player, "The Commandant's Own", The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps | ||
| 2009 - 2013 | Phoenix University (online while stationed at Marine Barracks Washington D.C.), Associates Degree in General Studies | ||
| 2010 | Promotion to Lance Corporal, USMC | ||
| 2010 | Promotion to Corporal, USMC | ||
| 2011 | Assistant Ceremonial Bugler, "The Commandant's Own" | ||
| 2012 | Featured performer in joint concert of New York Philharmonic & "The Commandant's Own" | ||
| 2012 | Assistant Ceremonial Bugler, "The Commandant's Own" | ||
| 2012 | Promotioin to Sergeant, USMC | ||
| 2012 | Good Conduct Medal, USMC | ||
| 2013 | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (for junior officers and enlisted personnel whose professional and/or leadership achievements on or after May 1, 1961, are clearly of a superlative nature) | ||
| 2013 | Field Tech, University of North Texas | ||
| 2013 - 2017 | University of North Texas, Bachelor of Music in Music Education | ||
| 2014 - 2016 | Marching Tech, Frisco Wakeland High School | ||
| 2014 - 2016 | Marching Tech, Newman Smith High School | ||
| 2014 - 2016 | Trumpet Private Lesson Instructor, Frisco & Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISDs | ||
| 2017 - 2020 | Band Director, Frisco Centennial High School | ||
| 2019 - 2020 | Assistant Brass Caption Head, Legend Drum & Bugle Corps | ||
| 2020 | Android Developer, Apolisrises | ||
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published a tribute .
My daughter and I were privileged and honored to have shared fifteen years of Philip's life. We wish he could have seen himself as we saw him. He was a handsome, kind, sensitive, thoughtful, loving, and talented young man. We shared his love of movies at home and at the theaters. The time we spent with Philip was memorable.
Through the years, Philip and his family became a part of our immediate family. We shared Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. There was much food, fun, and laughter. He had such an infectious laugh that it made you laugh. Although we were out of touch these past five years, he was not forgotten.
We know that Philip is at peace. His journey here was much too short. We pray that as time passes the memories you made with Philip will comfort you and eventually tears will turn into smiles. Teresa says she has two angels in heaven....her Dad and Philip.
Philip will be in our hearts forever.
Much love and prayers,
Linda and Teresa Flores
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published a tribute .
To John and your wife, There are just no words to express my sympathy and sadness at the loss of your son. It is particularly painful to know that he was a fellow Marine. May he be at peace now and in the arms of the Lord. Semper Fidelis.
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published a comment .
It is such a tragedy that a young man with so much to give reached the point that he felt unable to go on with life. I hope and pray his family and loved ones can find the strength to endure the pain of this loss while holding on to the love and pleasant memories of their time with Philip.
If anyone reading this suffers from anxiety or depression or knows someone who does, I hope you can accept that this is a disease and can be treated. This is not a moral failing and you should not feel “less than” if struggling with these issues. Find a professional with experience in this area and don’t be afraid to talk to them about your feelings. The more open you are, the better able they will be to help. There is a way through the darkness (I attest to this from personal experience). Please do not settle for anything less in your life.
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Our tradition was to always to go out to eat in Grapevine and play Dota after
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published a comment .
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