Celebration Of Life, On 4th Of July, For Public Safety Diver And Firefighter, Mark Phillips In Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation is honored to announce a Celebration of Life event for Mark Phillips, a dedicated Public Safety Diver and 33-year veteran firefighter, whose cremains will be respectfully placed within his custom-designed artificial reef by his son, Chris Phillips. The ceremony will take place on July 4th, at Lighthouse Marina in Panama City Beach, commemorating Mark’s extraordinary life and service to his community.

On June 3, 2025, Mark’s friends from Dive911 and North Florida Diving Services, with support from Point South Marina at Bay Point, successfully deployed his 3,000-pound, 8ft. by 8ft. by 8ft., raw steel artificial reef into the Gulf waters. The reef, a lasting tribute to Mark’s legacy, features a Public Safety Diver emblem, meticulously plasma-cut by Steve Harman of Harman Metal Arts, based on a design by Kevin Angelilli of Tristar Scuba.

Gretchen Theodorou, Vice President of Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, reflected on the June 3rd deployment, “This was over a year in the making, and really the brainchild of Mark’s friend, Buck Buchanan. He reached out to us, and we just wanted to help him make Mark’s reef and the Public Safety Diver reef a reality.” Indeed, this is the first of many Public Safety Diver reefs to be deployed. The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation has a fund set up, through the WarriorMemorialReefs.org website, specifically to grow this reef. 

“So many people came together to help get Mark’s reef deployed, like Mark’s friends, Public Safety Divers Buck Buchanan, Justin Hembrock, and Robert Smith. Then, we had Ben Perry, Justin Bannerman, and the folks from Point South Marina at Bay Point, who not only staged the reef, but they also went above and beyond any of our expectations. We had Chantille Weber making sure that everything was deployed properly. Craig Cowdell, Captain of the Colorblind, was essential to our location and team success. Tow Boat US helped us tow the three thousand pound reef out to sea. And of course, Mariano Lorde of Lordelife Cinema captured everything on film. We are so honored to have such a wonderful group of people, with such determination, on our team,” stated Theodorou. 

The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation is proud to facilitate this meaningful event, which not only honors Mark Phillips’ remarkable contributions as a firefighter and diver but also supports marine conservation through the creation of sustainable artificial reefs. These reefs provide vital habitats for marine life, while also reflecting on Mark’s commitment to protecting and serving his community.

Watch this informational video about the Public Safety Diver Memorial/ Mark Phillips Memorial. 

The public is invited to join in celebrating Mark’s life and legacy by lining the harbor and raising their flags in honor of this Warrior and his family. For more information about the event or the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, please visit WarriorMemorialReefs.org , or visit their social media pages.
 
About Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation
 
The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation is dedicated to honoring fallen heroes, namely Veterans, First Responders and their K9s, by creating artificial reefs that serve as living memorials, while fostering marine ecosystems. Through these efforts, the Foundation ensures that the legacies of individuals like Mark Phillips endure in harmony with the ocean environment.
 
The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation provides this service for free to the families of fallen Warriors. The Foundation’s Board and Advisors do not get paid. This is purely volunteer. The Foundation is able to provide these services only through the generosity of donations, grants and sponsorships. All donations are welcome.