December 18, 2024 – It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of SMART-TD member and Union Pacific Conductor Phillip Araujo. He and his engineer, Clay Burt, lost their lives in the line of duty on December 18, 2024 when their train collided with a tractor-trailer in Pecos City, Texas.
Brother Araujo was a dedicated member of Local #823, a skilled conductor, and a kind, reliable friend. Over the course of his career, Phillip earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues for his unwavering commitment to his work and his family. His sacrifice and strong work ethic were evident in the way he managed the demands of his profession. He is survived by his wife Maria and three children Abby, Andrea, and Fabian.
Araujo and Burt’s GoFundMe ► https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-araujo-burt-families-loss
Living roughly 230 miles from the Sweetwater, Texas, yard office, Phillip would commute several hours to work, never complaining about the challenges of the railroad’s unpredictable on-call lifestyle or how it was compounded by his extraordinary driving time.
When his name neared the top of the board, he would get in his car and head to the yard office, taking his call sometime during the drive. If his calculation was off, and he arrived before his on-duty time, Araujo would simply sleep in his car or handle the administrative duties of being a conductor with a smile on his face. He knew why it was all worth it to him. Providing a good life for his wife and his three children was worth whatever the railroad lifestyle required of him. They were his clear priority, something his coworkers in Sweetwater not only noticed but admired.
In this spirit, Brother Ryan Monts of BLET Division 212 started a GoFundMe account to support both the families of Phillip Araujo and Clay Burt. We ask all those who are able to consider giving what they can to help these two railroad families with final expenses in their time of need.
Brother Araujo’s loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of his family, friends, and coworkers. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, coworkers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maria, and their children Abby, Andrea, and Fabian, the entire Local #823 family, and all who had the honor of knowing him.
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