Thomas Alan Philipp (Tom, Gramp, Nump, Chief, Mr. Tom) took his next journey on February 25. Tom was a New York native and Colgate University graduate. After falling in love and getting married on the coast of Cape Cod, he and his NC-bred bride, Kay, moved to the coastal recesses of Brazil, to serve in the Peace Corps for two years, in conscientious objection to the Vietnam War. Upon returning, he and Kay settled in the mountains of NC, and crafted their current mountainside residence with sustainably sourced resources and their bare hands. A creative carpenter by trade, Tom had the true spirit of an entrepreneur. Full of big ideas and vision, Tom was an early adopter of solar energy endeavors, and started Boone-based business, Sun Homes, in the seventies. Shortly thereafter, he also started a small wine and beer shop which ultimately evolved into long-standing downtown Boone restaurant, Murphy's.

Tom is preceded in death by parents James Philipp and Shirley Updike, and he leaves behind his biggest love Kay, daughters Katie and Amber, son-in-law Randy, Brazilian surrogate son Ivan, and the ultimate joys of his life, his three grandchildren - Kayla, Liam, and Spencer. Tom also leaves behind an amazing crew of extended family, neighbors, and such a bevy of dear friends (young and old) from so many different eras of his life.

He lived life big and joyful and always made an impression. His legacy is that he always made things a lot more fun. One of his brightest joys over the last three years was sharing Gramp's Creekside Camp with visitors from around the world. Guests flocked to this creatively crafted space that he built to celebrate this part of the world that he treasured so much. He loved delighting guests with the beauty of the location and the fun touches that he so intentionally wove into the space. His big, strong physical presence will be missed immensely, but his incredibly palpable spirit will live on in the things he built and through the people he loved so dearly and sweetly.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Watauga County Habitat for Humanity and Green Valley Community Park.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at a date to be determined.

Online condolences may be sent to the Phillip family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.