Phillip Albert Lavallet, III of Mountain Brook passed away on August 24 and is now home with his Heavenly Father. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 49 years, Barbara Melson Lavallet, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Albert Lavallet, Jr. (Nelda Eubank). He is survived by his wife of 7 years, Virginia Head Gross Lavallet; a brother, Henry Lavallet (Judy); and a sister, Virginia Lavallet Underwood. He is also survived by two daughters, Margaret Lavallet Benton and Kathryn Lavallet Tortorici (Sam); two step children, Catherine Gross and John Gross, III (Melanie). He had 5 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren: Michael Tortorici, Steven Benton, Daniel Tortorici, Katy Benton, Gracie Tortorici, John Gross, IV, Ansley Gross, and Evans Gross.

Phil was a Birmingham native and graduated from Ramsay High School in 1955. He was a stand-out player and captain of his Ramsey High School football team. He won the Fred Sington trophy for outstanding athlete/scholar in High School in 1955. He attended Auburn University where he received a B.S. degree in Chemistry and Literature and a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-med honorary. While at Auburn, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as President in 1958-1959. Following college, he was a member of the Alabama Air National Guard and the US Air Force where he was stationed in Dreux, France (1960-1961). He continued with the Alabama Air National Guard until 1965 with a Second Lieutenant Rank and was promoted to First Lieutenant in Inactive U.S. Air Force Reserve.

He worked for Young & Vann Supply Company in Birmingham 1959–1973, Alabama Power Company 1973-1975, and Southern Company Services until he retired in 1997.

What marked Phil’s life was his faith in Jesus Christ. Phil became a Christian while attending a Billy Graham conference at Legion Field in 1973. He was a member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church for 36 years and a member of the Deeper Roots Sunday School Class. He served as both a Deacon and an Elder at Briarwood, involved in Evangelism Explosion as well as attended his men’s bible study.

Phil loved football, golf and bird watching. In addition to cheering for the Auburn Tigers, he was a member of the Metropolitan Football Association as a High School football official, and also served as a trainer and treasurer. He was a member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club. Phil was an avid and accomplished golfer and enjoyed participating in many tournaments.
His kind and gentle spirit will be missed and remembered by all.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 25 at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood from 4:00-6:00. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 26 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church at 1:00. Memorials can be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

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