THOMAS PHILLIPS FIELD, JR., 70, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2009. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 29, 1939, to Thomas Phillips, Sr. and Frances Blair Field who preceded him in death. World War II brought the family to Dallas where Tom became active in the Boy Scouts and high school athletics. He achieved the Eagle rank at age 12, attended three national jamborees, and attended one world jamboree. He also ran track for Highland Park where he qualified for the regional track meet during his senior year. Tom attended the University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of the Naval R.O.T.C. and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He graduated from Texas with a B.B.A. in 1961 and a law degree in 1966. Tom exemplified the Golden Rule. He was an extremely honorable person who went out of his way to help other people. He was a member of the Stephen Ministry at First Methodist Houston providing care to individuals who were facing a crisis in their lives. He also taught Sunday School to special needs adults for several years. Tom was also a very caring, generous person. He financially adopted several third world children through well-known charitable organizations and maintained monthly correspondence with each of them for many years. Tom enjoyed poetry and had the creative ability to express himself in rhyme with both insight and humor. Family members looked forward to his poetry recitations at weddings and birthday parties. Tom was a serious environmentalist before it was the "in thing." Many years ago he spent substantial time and resources to single-handedly save a large number of magnolia trees at his condominium complex from destruction. One of his friends gave Tom the nickname "Captain Al" in recognition of the thousands of pounds of aluminum cans that he had collected and recycled. One cold fall day as Tom was picking up aluminum cans from a roadside ditch, a woman drove by and offered him a Thanksgiving turkey. He simply thanked her and asked that she donate it to her church instead. Tom was also a major donor to the Beer Can House and knew its owners very well. Survivors include his brother, John Field and wife Peggy; nephews, John Field, Jr. and wife Kathy and Jimmy Field and wife Sabrina Lahiri; niece, Karen Steger and husband Todd; grand-nieces and nephew, Madleine Field, Adam Field, and Laurel Steger. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at Klein Funeral Home, Champions. A second viewing will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, in the Wesley Room at First Methodist Houston, 1320 Main St., Houston, where funeral services will follow at 12 p.m. in the Bintliff Chapel. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family thanks the staff at Silverado Senior Living-Cypresswood for the excellent care that Tom received during the last four-plus years of his life. If desired, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Houston at 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston 77030, or to the charity of your choice. Published in the Houston Chronicle on 7/9/2009