Philip Joseph Green

“I am larger, better than I thought,

I did not know I held so much goodness.” -Walt Whitman

With profound sadness, we say goodbye to Philip Green, 83, beloved husband, father, and grandfather who passed away peacefully on March 2, 2025, of congestive heart failure complications. His vibrant spirit touched the lives of many.

Philip Joseph Green was born in Jackson, Mississippi to Elton and Lou Green. He was raised and attended school in Cordova, Tennessee, playing in the southern landscape he loved. He worked in cotton and gladiola fields as a young boy. As a student, he was extremely intelligent but disguised it by playing pranks, i.e., picking up one of his high school teachers and setting her up on top of a filing cabinet.

He attended Rhodes College graduating in 1963. He married Barbara Hollingsworth with whom he parented two beautiful daughters, Kelly and Kimberly. In 1968 he completed his Ph.D. in Physics at Louisiana State University and accepted a faculty position at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. For nearly twenty years Philip was a professor in the physics department at TAMU, his specialty was experimental cosmic ray physics. When the astronomy department needed a professor, he stepped in. Philip loved telling of an enthusiastic student who asked, breathlessly, “What sign are you, Professor?”

His rare combination of brilliant intellect and humility, humor and warmth made him the perfect ambassador to international conferences and physics experiments in many countries. He was a problem-solver and a diplomat.

In addition to his teaching duties, he represented A&M in the collaboration of seven American and seven Italian Universities, MACRO (Monopole and Astrophysical Cosmic Ray Observatory). This required him to work in an underground lab in the mountainous Abruzzi region of Italy every 8 months or so, pursuing monopoles and muons. His love of the cosmos and Italian culture, art, and cuisine were nourished there.

Philip had served as Choir Director at St. Paul’s Methodist Church during his time in College Station. More recently he enjoyed several months as a member of the Sandia Presbyterian Church Choir.

In 1986, Philip took a sabbatical from A&M to Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He loved the work; after a year he officially retired from Texas A & M. He continued working at MACRO until 1996. Throughout his employment in Albuquerque he represented Sandia National Labs in global scientific collaborations.

He had taken a Technical Staff position at Sandia, working in the development of physics experiments for radiation effects testing. Soon he was recruited to a variety of endeavors in satellite experimentation, working with NSA, NASA, and other organizations including IEEE Standard for Terminology and Test Methods for Analog-to-Digital Converters.

His love of music led him to his wife, Judy Mahoney. In April 1990 they married and melded families. He became a father to Judy’s son, Tom, who knew him as “a man

who loved unconditionally, a pillar of support, and an overall amazing human being”. As a couple Phil and Judy pursued classes in writing, painting, fly-fishing, tango and ballroom dance, and eventually played together in Phil’s music group, Jazz Breeze.

In 1988 Phil joined a men’s group affiliated with New Mexico Men’s Wellness. Through the years he enjoyed bi-monthly meetings of his men’s group and NMMW conferences, thriving in the good company of fellow travelers.

Philip retired from Sandia National Laboratory in 2004 after 17 years of collaboration in science, engineering, and department management.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed the Albuquerque sunshine that allowed him to play with his close friends (Dan, Dan, and Gary) almost every week of the year.

As “a true Renaissance man” he pursued creative interests, learning the art of raku-fired ceramics, designing and fabricating beautifully glazed wall clocks that he displayed in galleries and art shows. He joined New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists. “Phil was a super guy, a great potter, and a real friend of NMPCA. He was the clock guy (Raku Round the Clock).” He was a member of Amapola Gallery in Old Town since 2004.

Many happy hours were spent on the San Juan River. On a fine summer evening at the flats below the Texas Hole, Phil landed “Old Walter.” He and Judy loved Molas Lake and shared that love with grandkids.

Philip slipped the bonds of earth as he wished: peacefully, intentionally, and surrounded by family. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his keen intelligence, his gentle humor, and the eternal optimism he carried, positively impacting so many lives.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Lou Green, sister Christa Warner and her husband Fred. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Judy Green; brother Rodney Green and wife Lucille; daughters Kelly Ross and husband Alan, Kimberly Downey and husband Mike; stepson Tom Mahoney; grandchildren Ryan Green, Summer Wood, Taylor Backstrom and husband Scott with his first great grandson, Hank Backstrom, his granddaughter Caitlin Mahoney and members of the extended Green Family. Phil’s memorial will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 11:30-2:30 p.m. to celebrate Philip’s enchanted life. Location: Doc Long's in the Sandia Mountains.

Donations in Philip Green’s name may be made to:

The Outpost Performance Space

210 Yale Boulevard, SE

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106