Robert "Bob" Phipps Sr.

Robert Donald Phipps, or Bob to his family and friends, was born on May 25th, 1941 in Muskogee, OK, one of twin sons, to Jodie and Mae (Jordan) Phipps. The family consisted of two brothers and four sisters, Jodie Phipps, Ginger Phipps Redus, Elizabeth Marie Phipps Huitt, Peggy Phipps Crawford, Dixie Phipps Milwicz and his twin brother, William Phipps. He grew up in Muskogee with his family and attended school at the Oklahoma School for the Blind. While there, he developed a love for wrestling, playing the piano, and singing gospel music and hymns. He met and married his wife, Mary Keller and they were wed in 1987 in Arkansas. Together they raised a family of two sons and three daughters, Sabrina, Robert Jr, Jessica, Olen Joe, and Marie. He felt the call to preach the word of God and devoted his life to delivering the gospel message. He worked as a desk clerk for Muskogee Hotel. He also was known to turn a wrench or two in the automotive repair department. He loved to share a good cup of coffee and a cigarette with the guys in the shop and share a bit of news around town. He never missed a chance to do a little traveling to visit relatives and friends and wasn’t that happy about being left at home. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to pick on his kids and grandkids. They were the light of his life and he loved them dearly. Liberty Mission Church was his home away from home and he poured his whole heart and soul into bringing the love of God to all he encountered. He was kind, courageous, proud of his family and the best neighbor and friend you could ever ask for. The road was not easy for Bob, but he never asked for anything. He earned his way, and helped others to find theirs. The Lord called this wonderful son, father, grandfather and uncle home from his many labors on August 18th, 2024 in Tahlequah, OK. He was 83 years old and leaves an empty chair that can never be filled.

He is home now with his grandparents, his mother and father, his beloved son Olen Joe, and all of his brothers and sisters.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Sabrina Saenz and husband Jose “Pepe” of Andrews, TX, Robert Phipps Jr and wife Emily of Tahlequah, Jessica Phipps and Poncho Cervantes of Tahlequah, OK, and Marie Phipps and Brandon Burris of Seminole, OK. He lives on in his 16 grandchildren, Christina Phipps, Alana Phipps, Arielle Hawley, Levi Saenz, Shay Saenz, Alex Phipps, Savanna Bulgara, Bradley Spear, Ethan Phipps, Elijah Cervantes, Sierra McReynolds, Hayden Phipps, Angel Cervantes, Austin Phipps, Lane Phipps, Isabella Cervantes, Kylee Burris, Zachary Burris and Khloe Burris, as well as four great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention here.

Funeral services for Robert Donald Phipps Sr. will be conducted Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Brother Norman Nixon and Tom Montgomery delivering the Eulogy. He will be laid to rest at Park Hill Cemetery next to his son, Olen Joe.

Pallbearers for Robert include Curtis Nixon, Billy Nixon, Franklin Nixon, Henry Joe Nixon, Jeremy Hawley and Brendon Burris. His honorary pallbearer is Poncho Cervantes.