Mr. Walter Phillip Kittrell

Walter Phillip Kittrell, 74, a Chickasaw native and longtime Gulf Shores resident, passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2026, surrounded by his family. Phillip was born July 6, 1952, in Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from Vigor High School with the Class of 1970 and briefly attended the University of South Alabama. Phillip spent his entire working career at Kittrell Acoustics. He was hardworking, dependable, and a natural leader. Whether you knew him as a boss, a coworker, or a friend, Phillip was someone people respected and admired. He worked hard, expected the same from those around him, and took great pride in what he did. But work certainly wasn’t everything to Phillip. He was devoted to his family, his work, and playing softball… mostly playing softball. Anyone who knew Phillip knew how much he loved the game. Softball wasn’t simply something he did—it was a big part of who he was. Over the years, the game gave him great memories, plenty of stories, and friendships that lasted a lifetime. In 2018, Phillip was diagnosed with glioblastoma and underwent his first brain surgery that October. Chemotherapy and radiation followed. For the next seven years, his tumor was closely monitored and, remarkably, remained small and unchanged. In September 2025, Phillip learned the tumor had begun growing again. After having such good results from his first surgery, he chose to fight it once more and underwent a second surgery in December. Unfortunately, complications followed. Phillip was a warrior. There really is no better way to describe him. For eight years, he fought a disease that never fought fair. He endured surgeries, treatments, uncertainty, setbacks, and more than most people will ever know. Still, he kept fighting. Glioblastoma may have been part of Phillip’s story, but it will never be what defined his life. Phillip will be remembered for the life he lived before and throughout that battle—for his strength and determination, the career he built, the people he influenced along the way, the family he loved, the friends he made, and, of course, all those years spent on a softball field. Phillip was preceded in death by his father, Melborn “Mac” Kittrell, and his brother, Glenn. He is survived by his mother, Verna Roberts; his brothers, Danny and Mark; his children, Jason and Melisa, and their mother, Pam; his son, Zach, and his mother, Jeanie; and his daughter, Randi, and son, Bryant, and their mother, Tara. Phillip fought hard, worked hard, loved his family, and played a whole lot of softball. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories and more stories than could ever fit on this page. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, coworkers, teammates, and everyone who was lucky enough to know him. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Phillip’s memory to the Miracle League of Coastal Alabama, an organization that gives children and young adults with special needs and developmental disabilities the opportunity to play baseball.

Mr. Walter Phillip Kittrell

July 6, 1952 - August 30, 2026