Joseph W. Phillips' Obituary
Joseph Warner Phillips was born on March 11, 1943 in Paris, Tennessee and passed away at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on November 8, 2015. He was 72. He was a graduate of Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana and received his undergraduate degree from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Joe would go on to earn two Master’s Degrees from Indiana University; a M.A. in French and M.L.S. in Information Science. He studied architecture and translation at the University of Dijon in France. Most of Joe’s career was spent at Miami University of Ohio as the Library Director on the Middletown Campus. He retired in 2005 and moved to Tulsa to live near his family.Joe lived in France and Russia for short periods of time. He enjoyed a sabbatical at the University of St. Petersburg, Russia, where his American Studies class was so popular it became standing room only.Two of Joe’s passions were beautiful, classical church music and travel. These came together in recent years when he spent two Christmases worshipping at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge and the York Minster in York. He visited some of the most beautiful places on earth. Some of his favorites were England, Ireland, France, the Czech Republic, China (climbed the Great Wall), Spain, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, and several places with Biblical History.Joe was a steadfast follower of Jesus Christ. Many will testify that he was a faithful, loving, kind and generous man. He dearly loved the congregation and friends at Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican in Tulsa. He always strove to be more like Christ and sought to be a peacemaker with his fellow man.Joe was a beloved son, brother and uncle. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert B. Phillips, his mother, Hildred G. Phillips and his sister, Julia Alice Kelly. He leaves behind a sister, Deborah A. Payne, two brothers, James L. Phillips and Robert S. Phillips, and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many beyond measure.In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Stand in the Gap Ministries in Tulsa at www.sitgm.org.His memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican in Tulsa.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?