Phillip Wade Dane

Coach. Veteran. Golfer. Hall of Famer. #57. Camper.

Phil Dane had many titles, but there were three that made him most proud: Debbie’s Sweetie, Dad, and Papa.

Phil was born on April 4, 1954, to Willie Paul and Mary Lou Dane in Martin, Tennessee. His 68 years on this earth were not enough to tell all the stories he had accumulated during his childhood, with his family, and during his career at The University of Tennessee at Martin. Shortly after graduating from Westview High School he began dating and soon married his best friend. Several years into their marriage, three daughters were added. He was extremely outnumbered, but he was always up for an adventure. They were the joy of his life.

After more than 20 years in business and finance at UTM, he pursued his dream job, assuming the title of Athletics Director. A role that was so successful, he was inducted into the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015 and was then inducted into the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame in 2021. When he retired from UTM, he and Debbie began traveling the country in their camper, and Phil continued to fine-tune his love for golf. This love grew even deeper as he had the opportunity to invest in up-and-comers through Memphis-Area Home Education Association’s golf team and the inaugural Lakeland Preparatory School golf team.

The most important title in Phil’s life was “Believer.” When Phil was in the Air Force, stationed in Colorado Springs, he and Debbie began feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit on their hearts, and they realized they had never fully surrendered their lives to Jesus. After meeting with their pastor, they put their faith in Him—a fact that is a source of great hope now that he has been fully healed by the hands of his Lord and Savior. Phil was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, where he served as a deacon, sang in the choir, served with ARISE2Read, and loved to fellowship with his Life Group.

Phil has been a Colossians 3:17 man to his family, his friends, and to all who knew him personally. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; his daughters Shelly (Adam), Katie, and Abbey; his grandson Tucker; and his two brothers, Ronnie (Sarah) and Greg (Gina). He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Paul and Mary Lou. 

Phil kept the following summary of Proverbs 4:20–27 on his calendar as a daily reminder:
“Consume His Word. Control your heart. Consecrate your speech. Commit to your walk.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either of the following:

Greater Memphis Fellowship of Christian Athletes: https://my.fca.org/donation?name=tngreatermemphisfca

or

Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Memphis where Phil served with Jeff Jones on the Board:

https://www.uofmbcm.org/donate

Arrangements are as follows:

Saturday, October 1, 2022: The family will receive friends in the Special Occasions Room at Bellevue Baptist Church between noon and 2:00 p.m. Bellevue is located at 2000 Appling Road in Cordova, Tennessee. The Special Occasions Room entrance is located on the west side (Appling Road entrance) at a portico to the right of the West Entrance.

Sunday, October 2, 2022: The family will receive friends in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Martin, Tennessee, between 2:00–4:00 p.m., with a funeral service beginning at 4:00. Burial will follow the funeral service at East Side Cemetery in Martin. First Baptist Church is located at 123 University Street in Martin, Tennessee.

Pallbearers are Jim Pritchett, James Yarbro, Johnny Shanklin, George Evans, Jeff Moser and Danny Walker.