Philip C. Cezeaux, Dedicated Rotarian & Founding Director of Texas Fire Fighters Home, Passes Away

Philip C. Cezeaux – longtime Rotarian, past President and member of University Area Rotary Club, died peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas on February 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. Philip is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ute, his daughters Andrea and Katherine, and his grandchildren. He was 87 years old. 

Born October 16, 1937, Philip (Phil) was born to Philip C. Cezeaux Jr. and Melva M. Cezeaux. He married his wife Ute at the Dreitaltigkeitskirche in Hannover, Germany on August 19, 1961. 

Phil and Ute were members of Christ the King Church where Phil served as an usher. Additionally, Phil and Ute were members of the Bach Society, Houston, as well as emeritus board members of the Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association.

Phil joined Rotary many years ago.  His career included the private practice of tax law in Houston and later retiring as Corporate Secretary of The Texas Oil Company.   In an interview once, Phil commented: “I had a next-door-neighbor who got involved in the Enron scandals.  I am not a better person than he, and I believed if he had belonged to Rotary, he would have made better decisions.”  To be a Rotarian means you have decided it is in your long-term best interest to have fair and honest dealings.   Not your Mama, not your Pastor, but you have made that decision.  Once involved in Rotary, I especially enjoyed meeting Rotarians everywhere I traveled in the U.S. and abroad.”  

Phil was one of the three founding directors of the Rotary (Texas) Fire Fighters Home and was instrumental in moving the project forward.  He served both as President and Chairman of the Board of the project.  In later years, he moved to serving on the Advisory Board. 

He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in 1960 and an L.L.B. in 1963.