Phillip Frank Ambrose passed away on Sunday, March 19th at Huntsville Hospital at the age of 55. He leaves his wife of 22 years, Joan McKenna; his three precious children, Alwyn, Katherine “Kate” and Sean Ambrose; his brother, Tom Ambrose of Florida; his aunt, Jean Ashurst (Johnny) and cousins Jay, Jeff (Cheryl), Jeffrey and Allie Ashurst of Montgomery and Jerry Ashurst of Birmingham along with many dear friends.
Born in Birmingham on Jan. 30, 1962, he moved with his family to Decatur when he was still in elementary school. He suffered loss at a young age when both his father and only sister passed away within a short time of each other just as he was starting high school. He was very close with his mother Jane throughout her life, providing her with great support.
Phil graduated from Decatur High School and went on to UAH where he earned his Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. In his college years, Phil held various offices in the Theta Pi chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He made lifelong friends with his hard work, quick wit and friendly demeanor.
He was married near Ottawa, Canada on June 4, 1994 after which he and Joan settled in Decatur. He was a fiercely proud father of three children who were his reason to battle through much pain and illness in his last years. They will remember him for his special sense of humor and deep love.
Phil worked for 30 years with the Department of Defense as an aerospace engineer at the Missile and Space Intelligence Center on Redstone Arsenal where he analyzed foreign missile systems. He was a recognized expert on anti-tank guided missiles and provided critical information to protect and support the US warfighter.
Phil was a lifelong diehard University of Alabama football fan, a military history buff and a political junkie.
He was predeceased by his father, Claude Edgar “Buddy” Ambrose; his mother, Florence Jane Stith Ambrose; and his beloved sister, Alice Jane Ambrose.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home in Decatur today the 22nd of March at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be David Johnson, Arthur Werkheiser, Bill Starnes, Jay Ashurst, Jeff Ashurst and Jerry Ashurst.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alabama Kidney Foundation. Thank you to all the good friends who have been our adopted family helping us through this very difficult time. He will be greatly missed
