Alfred Philip Parduhn

Phil was a pioneering industrial engineer and inventor who held more than 34 patents in the traffic, lighting, and utility industries. He founded and led successful companies, served his community with distinction, and was a devoted family man whose greatest passion was helping those in need—shaped by his mother’s physical challenges.

Born in Oklahoma City on December 16, 1932, Phil was raised by his parents Al and Helen Parduhn. His mother Helen’s confinement to a wheelchair due to rheumatoid arthritis taught him the value of hard work and compassion from an early age.

He attended Central High School, earned a track scholarship to Fremont College in Nebraska, and later received an associate’s degree from Oklahoma A&M College and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

On August 7, 1955, Phil married the love of his life, Lois Lewallen. Ten days later he entered the U.S. Army, serving as a forward observer with the 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Infantry Division in Germany, rising to the rank of Sergeant.

Phil and his brother-in-law Bill McCurdy founded and operated VePed Traffic Controls and Trafco Constructors from 1961-1984. In 1985, Phil and his son Steve launched Pelco Products, Inc., focusing on innovation and manufacturing traffic equipment better than anyone else. Their flagship product, the Astro-Brac (patented in 1968), became world-renowned. His son Jeff and daughter Diana joined the company in 1987. Phil’s inventive spirit produced solutions to problems and creative products including one of his favorites, a microwaveable bacon cooker, the Bacon Barn.

Phil served as Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, gave generously of his time to the YMCA, Dale Rogers Training Center, Edmond Police Department and many other organizations.

In 2017, Phil was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. During his lifetime he received numerous awards which included Governor’s State of Excellence Award, Citizen of the Year for City of Edmond, Innovator of the Year for the Journal Record, Edmond Hall of Fame, Entrepreneurial Excellence in Oklahoma Award, Oklahoma Good Neighbor of the Year. Phil was a founding member of “Our Club” in Edmond which has continually met weekly since 1974. Phil and Lois loved to dance and were members of the Young Men’s Club and Regency Dance Club. When he could pull away from work,

Phil enjoyed world travel with a group of friends dubbed the “Fun Bunch”

Phil was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Alfred Parduhn and his sister Betty McCurdy.

He is survived by his daughter, Diana Parduhn; his sons, Jeff Parduhn and wife Monica, and Steve Parduhn and wife Linda; his grandchildren, Caleb Parduhn, Madison Parduhn, Brandon Parduhn and wife Hannah, Bailey McFalls and husband Sebian, Blake Lippert and partner Gregory , Tori Kristof and husband Myles, and Laura Rittenberry and husband Parker; and his great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Foster McFalls, Kennedy, Khloe, and Kruz Kristof; and Jax and Price Rittenberry.

Visitation for Family & Friends will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131, US, on June 29, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131, US, on June 30, 2026, at 10:00 am with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Phil’s legacy of turning ideas into reality, serving others, and building a better community will live on through his family and the many innovations he brought to the world.