Phillip Ralph Schwarz

He was born October 31, 1943 in Anadarko, OK to AJ and Betty Schwarz. He went to school in Weatherford, OK until his senior year where he graduated from Cordell High School. He married Alana Bayne on June 15, 1962. In 1965, he began his lifelong career in the sign industry where he was known for his integrity, kindness, and generosity.

He enjoyed traveling the southwestern United States with his wife, cooking southwestern food (including elk snout chili), holding Family Easter Egg Hunts for the young and the young-at-heart. Another favorite pastime was working around his acreage on his big blue tractor. He also enjoyed spending countless hours with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Alana, their two children, Raif Schwarz, and wife DeAnna, and Lorinda Schwarz; his three grandchildren, Katrina Richardson, and husband Billy, Benjamin Schwarz, and Raif Schwarz, Jr.; great-grandchild, Laina Richardson and more on the way; and his three sisters, Jean Hull, and husband Marlin, Nona Johnson, and Amy Canoy, and husband Rusty.

He is preceded in death by his parents, AJ and Betty Schwarz and his brother David Schwarz.

Viewing will be on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011. The funeral service will be at Bill Merritt Funeral Home, 6201 NW 39th Expressway, on Wednesday, August 24, 2:00 p.m. Service will be officiated by Brother Rusty Canoy, Pastor of First Baptist Lexington. Pallbearers include Bill Firquain, Phillip Johnson, Andrew Hull, Gary Edwards, Bruce Edwards, and John Sondrigger. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 270968, Oklahoma City, OK 73137-0968 www.regionalfoodbank.org

Thank you to all of his doctors and support staff for their diligence and caring during his illness.

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Merritt Funeral Service, Bethany, OK.