Philip Secrist

Philip Lee Secrist, born in Milwaukee, WI, on May 4, 1928, attended public schools in Blount County, TN, graduating from Blount County High in 1946. Philip joined the U.S. Marines in July of that year, experiencing boot camp at Parris Island, SC, then served as a teletype operator for the remainder of his enlistment at the Marine Air Base at Cherry Point, NC. He was a member of the Cherry Point Marine football team, playing well enough to earn a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee. While at UT he met Kay Kimsey and the two married in 1949. Philip accepted a commission in the Army Infantry (ROTC) upon graduation from UT in 1952, serving during the Korean War in training for combat, and in special service assignments until discharged from active duty in 1954. He served in the Army Reserve several years, resigning his commission with the rank of captain in 1965. Philip received a MS in Phys. Ed. Adm. F rom Auburn University and in the fall of 1955 he accepted a job at an Atlanta high school, beginning a teaching career in public schools and college that spanned 48 years. His teaching field was history, with a special interest in the American Civil War. Philip earned an Ed. D. in history and social science at the University of Georgia in 1972. He was the author of two books and more than a dozen articles in scholarly and popular magazines over the years on the subject of the Civil War. Dr. Secrist served on the faculties at Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University. He was past president of the Atlanta Civil War Round Table, a ten year member of the Ga. Civil War Commission, the Commander of the Atlanta World War II Roundtable, a Coordinator of Social Studies in Cobb County Public Schools, state president of the Ga. Council of Social Science Teachers, and was an elected public official serving as Chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners (1988 – 1993). Dr. Secrist is survived by Kay, his wife of 59 years, and his brother Harry Secrist of Knoxville, TN. He leaves two daughters, Phylis Secrist Grubb of Knoxville, and Barbera Secrist Schmedes of Marietta, and two sons, James Gregg Secrist of Dallas, GA, and Scott Edward Secrist, of Acworth, GA. Dr. Secrist is the grandfather of 12 children and the great grandfather of one. Dr. Secrist died at home on September 4, 2008. Visitation is scheduled at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street, Marietta, on Sunday, September 7, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. A memorial service is planned for Monday, September 15, 10:00 AM, also at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Friends of Resaca, POB 1098, Resaca, GA 30375, or First Church of Christ Scientist, 2641 Old Sewell Mill Rd., Marietta, GA 30068.

Philip Secrist

September 6, 2008