Don Phillips

Donald Joe Phillips was born at home on Tuesday, July 10, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri, the firstborn child of Dewey Ross and Irene (Bradley) Phillips. He passed this life at his home in Broken Arrow on Thursday, January 23, 2025 with his wife and family at his side. He was 101 years, 6 months and 13 days of age. Don’s father was a machinist and his mother a housewife. Don graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1941. He attended Georgetown University in Georgetown, Texas. Don was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during WWII. After attending the Navy School of Music in Washington DC, he was stationed on the USS Nevada from 1942-1948, as the trombone player. Don’s Navy Band did a Goodwill Tour at the end of the War to multiple foreign ports including London. He married a Londoner, Diane Hamilton in 1946, and welcomed daughter Sandra Diane in 1947. They relocated to Chicago, but the couple divorced a few years later. Don and Sandy moved home to Kansas City, where Don began working for Safeway Grocery Stores. After meeting on a blind date setup by co-workers, Don married the former Miss Ralpha Beatty in Independence, Missouri on April 18, 1953.They welcomed daughter Donna Jean. He and Ralpha have been married for 71 years. Don’s long career included being promoted to District Manager, then Retail Operations Manager, and eventually Vice President/Division Manager in multiple divisions including Oklahoma City, El Paso, Little Rock and Tulsa. He later transitioned the stores from Safeway to Homeland Stores in Oklahoma. After retiring in 1989, Don played golf almost daily for 30 years and is proud to say that he made five holes-in-one. Don saw many innovations during his 101 year life, such as modern computers and cell phone technology, which he did NOT embrace! His encouraging words of wisdom to us are, “Do Everything in Moderation – Eating, Drinking and Work; Get Enough Sleep and Be Kind to Those You Meet”. Don was recently inducted into the Centenarians of Oklahoma. He was a long time member of Indian Springs Country Club. He is survived by, His wife, Ralpha Phillips of the home Daughters, Sandy and husband Rich Alstedt of Georgetown TX Donna and husband Gary Williams of Sapulpa, OK Grandchildren , Lindsay Smith and husband Jason Shamblin of Washington DC; Jessica McWater and husband Bryan Lemmons of Sand Springs; and Devin Williams of Sand Springs Great Grandchild, Hunter McWater of Stillwater He was preceded in death by his father, Dewey and stepmother Betty Phillips, mother Irene Phillips, and his three younger siblings; Dorothy Linn, Frank Phillips, and Edward Phillips.

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Don Phillips

July 10, 1923 - January 23, 2025