John "Doug" Phillips Sr.

John Douglas Phillips, Sr., a long time resident of Jonesboro, passed away on October 8, 2015. He is predeceased by his parents, Joe A. and Arminda Phillips of Harrisburg and his sisters Dorothy Maestas (Martin), Mary Sims and is survived by his sister, Annette Williams. Doug leaves his beloved, Rosa Lee, wife of over 65 years, his son, John Douglas Phillips, Jr. (Nancy) and his daughter, Jennifer Phillips (Jerrell Shelton). Doug cherished his grandchildren, Caitlin Mello, Jason McCoy, Joshua McCoy (Chelsea), Jordan Phillips his great grandchildren, Marley Rose Mello, Chloe McCoy and many nieces and nephews. Doug was born in Harrisburg, AR in 1928. His father, Joe was a rural mail carrier and postal clerk and his mother, Arminda was a primary school teacher. He attended school in Harrisburg and was a graduate of Arkansas State University. While at ASU, he was a member of the TKE fraternity and the Indian marching band. It was Doug and a friend who designed the very first “Jumping Joe” Indian logo. Doug and Rosa Lee were among the most loyal and dedicated ASU fans. Up until their move to Tulsa, OK in 2010, you could find Doug most days on the sidelines of the ASU football practice field trying to coach with the best of them. It was music that brought Doug and Rosa Lee together. Doug, a member of the Southernaires dance band, was playing his tenor sax one evening when he met what would become the love of his life. Word has it, he asked her to dance during a break and ask her “if she could keep up with him”. Her answer, “well I’ll try” with a wink. They jitterbugged together for the rest of their life. They married in 1950 and Doug was called into the military stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he became a teaching officer in Officer Candidate School. His lifelong career (37 years) with Farm Bureau Insurance began in 1952 originally as an agent and then District Sales Manager for a vast area of the state. Doug and Rosa Lee raised their children and were active citizens of Jonesboro from 1954 until 2010 when they moved to Tulsa OK to be with their son, John and his family. After retirement, Doug and Rosa Lee dedicated their life to mission work where Doug’s travels took him to countries worldwide. His most memorable and fulfilling missions were in Liberia, Chile, India and Pakistan. Doug was a humble servant of the Lord and shared His word at every chance he got. Their RV took them all over North America with frequent stops in Colorado and Wyoming and their favorite Rocky Mountains. It then sat in the driveway for several years for Doug’s afternoon naps. Burial will be at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery (Oklahoma) on Friday, October 16th at 1pm followed by a Memorial Service at Believers Church in Tulsa, Saturday, October 17th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation to Destiny International, PO Box 702303, Tulsa OK 74170-2303 an organization Doug knew well and that carried on his passion for missions. www.destinyinternational.us Services are under the direction of Hayhurst Funeral Home, Broken Arrow, OK.

Tributes

John "Doug" Phillips Sr.

January 5, 1928 - October 8, 2015