Michael (David) David Phillips Sr.

Myrtle Myree (Myree) Jones Phillips at Morningside Hospital (now Hillcrest Medical Center) in

Tulsa, Oklahoma. He passed from this life on April 17, 2024 at the age of 80 years and 3

months.

He was a wartime baby as his father served stateside at the Sun-Ray DX Oil refinery in Tulsa.

Thrilled to have their “rainbow” baby, a son, to join their daughter Carol Jacqueline, who was

10 years older. David often stated he had “two” moms. They were fiercely loyal to each other.

The family moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma shortly after and eventually built a home there.

David was a proud graduate of Broken Arrow High School, attending every grade, 1st, to

graduation in 1962. During these early years he met his life long friends, many of whom are

present today and serving as Honorary Pallbearers. He was a proud member of the theater

club, and the debate team, earning All State Honors in Debate. He attended several

universities but ultimately achieved an Associate Degree from Tulsa Junior College (TCC) in

Respiratory Therapy. He went on to teach classes at TCC and worked to found the newly

developing profession of Respiratory Therapy at St. John Hospital in Tulsa. He loved his work,

retiring from St. John Hospital after 40 years as the Director of In-Service Education. He was

humbled and proud to be honored as “Employee of the Year” for 1992.

During college, David met and married his first wife, Gloria Freymiller. Together they had 4

children, Lynn, Beth, Mike, and Crissy, He loved his children dearly and coined the phrase “Kid

Days” to signify the Saturdays they spent together, trips for donuts, soccer games,

grandparent visits, Rooster Days, Fair Days, swimming days, rousing drives singing in the car,

zoos, museums, and later to OU Football games. BOOMER SOONER!! He carried on these

traditions with his grandchildren.

Working for a time at St Francis, David met his second wife, Mickey Rowe and started a long

relationship of love and devotion, sharing 47 years. They shared many of the same ideals and

philosophies and continued as one through the rest of his life.

In 2016, David began a journey back to faith and joined East Side Christian Church. He was

retired and ready to serve. He drove the small bus on Sundays to pick up those who needed a

ride and volunteered with the Quilting Ladies, helping tie or pin baby quilts to donate to infant

services. He was also a substitute bible class teacher. When East Side closed and moved to

South Tulsa, he began attending Memorial Drive Church of Christ, placed his membership, and

attended as he was able.

David was preceded in death by his parents, a brother John Luther Phillips, and his beloved

sister, Carol Webb and his brother-in-law Thomas O. Webb.

He is survived by his wife, Mickey Rowe of Tulsa and his children,

Lynn Phillips-Wiltshire (Aaron) of Owasso, OK, Elizabeth Phillips Faulk (Tim) of Montgomery,

AL, Michael David Phillips Jr of Owasso, OK, and Callie Cristine Phillips of Norman, OK.

He is also survived by 7 dearly loved grandchildren:

Nicholas David Wiltshire, Elaina Christine Wiltshire, Adam John Wiltshire, William Aaron

Wiltshire, Wesley Caleb Faulk, Nathan Michael Faulk, and Maxwell Alan Cato.

Along with many nephews, nieces, cousins and many dear friends.

Dad- His truth is marching on.

Memorials may be made too:

Meals on Wheels- mealsonwheelstulsa.org/donate

Village of Hope - thevohgroup.org/donate

(An orphanage, clinic, and school in Accra, Ghana, West Africa that he supported)

St. John Hospital Foundation - givestjohn.org/donate

Street Cats - streetcatstulsa.org