Phillips, Leland Andrew

Phillips,Leland Andrew

December 21, 1944 to September 13, 2023

The family of Lee Phillips are very sad to announce his passing. He will be missed by his wife Trish, daughters Leanne Roy (David), Lana Green (Dave), Grace Phillips-Mckenzie (Christopher), his grandsons Trigger Roy, Kasper Roy (Jenna), Garrett Green, and Layton Green (Brooke), and Trish’s children Josey Groeneveld, Jesse Groeneveld (Lindsay), and Koven & Freya Groeneveld. He is survived by his sisters Myrna Gherke and Terry Brookman (Barrie), plus many nieces and nephews.  

Lee grew up in the Carseland, Alberta area and started his career as a farmer and rancher. He then had an illustrious career for 15 years as a rodeo cowboy, competing in steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and wild cow milking. He holds the record for the fastest tie-down roping time in Canada at 5.7 seconds, was the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year in 1973, and the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Rookie of the Year in 1974. He won the Canadian championship in 1974 and 1976 in steer wrestling, and had the steer wrestling horse of the year five times. 

After his career as a rodeo cowboy, he then spent the next 25 years in the movie business as a horse wrangler. He trained horses that were seen on the big screen and wrangled in films such as Legends of the Fall, The Scarlett Letter, Wild America, 13th Warrior, Pit Pony, Shanghai Noon, Virginia’s Run, Touching Wild Horses, and Open Range. 

He was very proud of his children and grandchildren, and he continued to cheer on their accomplishments throughout his life. One of his favourite ways to spend an evening or weekend in his later years was to watch his grandchildren continue to carry on in his footsteps, both as rodeo cowboys and as a movie stuntperson. 

As per Lee’s request, there will not be a funeral service. Thank you to all of his friends and loved ones for the kind texts, calls, and visits over the past few weeks.