Buddy Phillips

Buddy Floyd Phillips, born December 10, 1932 to Bird “Bud” Harrison and Belle (Caudrey) Phillips. He was the youngest of ten children. He passed from this life at home and went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 26, 2025 at the age of 93 years, surrounded by his family.

Buddy attended Seneca Indian Boarding School as a child and later attended Tahlequah High School. He met Shirley Baker in high school and was married on April 16, 1955 after returning from his military service. They spent the next 70 years together. Buddy was a devoted father to three children: Vicki, Angie and Jeffrey.

Buddy was a high school math and drivers’ education teacher. He taught math at a couple of different schools in Kansas before returning to Tahlequah to teach at Sequoyah High School until retirement.

Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Belle Phillips, wife, Shirley, daughter Vickie and brothers Leo, Dee, Jess, Bob, JB, and sisters, Clethia Mae, Louise, Luola and Leona.

Buddy is survived by his children, Angie and Arnie McGee and Jeff and Jaylene. He leaves six grandchildren Phillip and Sammy McGee, Ryan and Rose McGee, Keith and Sarah Phillips, Kyle and Cecily Hix, Rhett and Andrea Davis and Kati Phillips, 16 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Tammy, Jasie, Jessica, Claudia and Matt along with Cherokee Nation Home Health and Hospice for helping care for Buddy.

A funeral service for Buddy will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home on December 31, 2025 at 1:00 pm with Chaplain Kevin Webster officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Army Honor Team.

Buddy Phillips will be laid to rest to join his beloved Shirley at Tahlequah City Cemetery.