John Phillips

John Ray Phillips, 78, passed from this life into eternal rest at the Ascension St John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the early morning hours of April 17, 2023. John was born in Chelsea, Oklahoma, on August 20, 1944, to Cecil and Bulah (Legate) Phillips. He was the youngest of four children in his family.

At a young age, John’s family relocated to Cushing, Oklahoma, where John grew up and attended Cushing High School, graduating in 1963. After high school, John attended college and eventually joined the military, which led him to Wichita, Kansas. While working at the Cessna plant there, John met Nikki Cowel. The couple were married in Mulvane, Kansas, in 1967. The couple moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where they had two children: James and Matt. The family then moved to Nowata, Oklahoma, in 1977.

John enjoyed listening to music and playing music. He was a drummer and throughout his life played in a few different bands. He was also a huge sports fan, and he especially enjoyed watching Oklahoma State University sports and the Chicago Cubs. When his boys were young and in sports, John would take note of every play in the game. John was also a huge animal lover and always liked to have dogs.

John worked for Reda Pump for more than 20 years, starting in the smelter department then later moving into the office. On June 15, 1996, John married Kathy Harris. Together, they created a new blended family together. The couple was breeders of Foundation Quarter Horses and were very proud that their two granddaughters: Allissa Notley and Macie English, helped show the horses.

They say Will Rogers never met a man he didn’t like. John lived that ideal. He treated strangers like friends and friends like family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

John was preceded in death by his parents: Cecil and Bulah Phillips, his first and second wives: Nikki (Cowel) Phillips and Kathy (Harris) Phillips, and his siblings: Ron Phillips, Virginia Maddux, and Billye Fairfield.

Those left to cherish the memory of a wonderful man include his children: James Phillips and wife, Kim of Yukon, Oklahoma, Matt Phillips of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Jason Epperson and wife, Sammy of Dewey, Oklahoma, and Sunny English of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, seven grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, along with several other family members and a host of friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023, the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel with Colin Kirk officiating. Funeral arrangements have been trusted by the caring staff of Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com.