November 30, 2022–
Max Franklin Phillips
January 15, 2951 – November 25, 2022
Max Franklin Phillips, 71 of Yukon, OK passed away November 25, 2022. Max was born January 15, 1951 to Noah and Jane Phillips in Ponca City, OK. Max was born of Native American descent to the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Sac Fox Tribe. Max joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade as a 12B2P Combat Engineer until he was wounded in combat and honorably discharged in 1970. Max was known to his fellow soldiers as Sooner. Max was decorated with the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Parachutist Badge. After returning home from Vietnam, he returned to Ponca City. Max attended Junior College in Tonkawa, OK, before moving to Norman, OK to attend college at the University of Oklahoma, while in college at OU and working nights at Tinker AFB, Max became a father of a baby girl, Kristie Ann on April 30, 1977. Max graduated from OU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. While working at Tinker AFB, Max met Terry Carmack in 1981 in the Aircraft Division. Max and Terry were married June 30, 1984 in Oklahoma City, OK. On June 29, 1987 Max became a father of his Son, Sean Edward. Max retired from Tinker AFB January 2006 with 34 years of civil service.
Max was a 32nd degree Mason, and was a member of the Nicoma Park Masonic Lodge #541.
Max and his beloved wife Terry were married for 38 years. Max loved his family deeply. He always had a sparkle in his eye when he saw his wife, children, and grandchildren. Max had four grandchildren, Karleigh, Sawyer, Olive and Piper. Max loved watching Karleigh play soccer and dance, Sawyer play Baseball and his first year of tackle football. Max loved to play, build with, and tease his grandchildren. Max loved to hunt, fish, watch OU football (on any given Saturday,) traveling, exploring, and adventures of all kinds. His last adventure was pushing his wife to Parasail knowing she was terrified of heights. His favorite Holidays were Christmas and the 4th of July.
Max would always say that Terry was the Love of his life and his soulmate. They were inseparable from the day they met, until the day he was called home.
Max was preceded in death by his father Noah and his mother Jane Phillips, Sisters Cheryl Wright and Robin Bernabe, and Brother Mike Phillips.
Max was survived by his wife Terry Phillips of Yukon, OK, son Sean Phillips, his wife Kari Phillips and children Karleigh and Sawyer Phillips, of Piedmont, OK. His daughter Kristie Gormley, her husband Jim Gormley and children Olive and Piper Gormley of OKC, OK. Max’s brothers Terry John Phillips and Tim Phillips of Ponca City, OK, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
(Courtesy of Resthaven Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, OK)