Thomas W. Phillips

Longtime Shawnee resident Thomas W. Phillips, 91, passed away January 23, 2021 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Graveside services will be at Tecumseh Cemetery on Friday, January 29 at 2 PM under the direction of Walker Funeral Service with Mike Craig officiating. Thomas was born September 20, 1929 on a farm 2 miles North of Meeker, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma to Raymond and Josie (Deal) Phillips. Growing up on a farm he learned the value of hard work at an early age. Driving a school bus in Lincoln County at the age of 14 was only one of his early accomplishments. He became a master mechanic in the Meeker and Shawnee areas working for several automotive dealerships. He taught auto mechanics for many years at Moore High School. Thomas went back to OSU, Stillwater as an adult to receive a college degree and later gained employment with The United States Postal Service Training Center in Norman, OK. In 1992, he retired as a diesel instructor in their automotive program. Thomas was a deacon at Wallace Avenue Baptist Church and Temple Baptist Church in Shawnee, and served as chairman of many committees at both churches. Farming, bird hunting and repairing mechanical equipment for his family and friends filled his free time. He was beloved PawPaw to his 2 grandsons. He loved swapping stories with his many friends in the Meeker and Shawnee areas. He was preceded in death by his parents, triplet sisters, Ruth, Helen and Allene, brothers Carl and Allen, spouse Shirley Mae (Spear) Phillips, and daughter April. Survivors include daughter Pamelia Stallings and husband Mark of Edmond, OK, grandsons, Geoffrey of Oklahoma City and Mark of Collinsville, OK. The family offers a special thank you to Angela and the staff at Stonecreek, Edmond for their wonderful care for Thomas the last 3 years. Memorial donations may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 1234 E. Highland St., Shawnee, OK 74801.