Glen E. Phibbs

Glen Eldon Phibbs, 85, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on March 21, 2023, at Saint Francis Hospital surrounded by family after a lengthy illness. Glen aka "Huck" was born in Shidler, Osage County, OK on July 18, 1937. His parents were Cecil Marion Phibbs and Georgia Anna Hazelbaker-Phibbs. His family moved to the beautiful tall grass prairie following his father's work in the oil fields. Glen's earliest memories of Osage County include pestering and playing with his brothers, George aka "Skeezix", Paul aka "Corky", and Roger aka "Bump". He tried his best to avoid the family farm animals, sheep, cattle and chickens. He stated that he was especially afraid of the bull, the rooster, and getting pecked by the mother hen which often meant he collected fewer eggs and upon returning to the house would say "only two eggs today Grandma". The family home was distant from other homes with children, so Glen spent a lot of time on the back porch looking out over the prairie and watching for military planes to fly over in between his chores on the farm. On one of those days, a Coca Cola delivery truck failed to navigate a turn on a nearby road and dumped a large load of coke bottles into the ditch. Glen ran to investigate and to his joy, the driver told him to run home, fetch his wagon and load as many coke bottles as he could carry. Glen said this was one of the happiest memories of his childhood. After World War II the family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma. During elementary school, Glen attended a high school football game with his family and after watching the half-time performance he fell in love with the marching band and the excitement of performing and playing music. He started clarinet lessons immediately. Glen loved music. This love of music was a huge influence in his life. Music helped him gain confidence, shape his identity and form relationships with people. Ultimately music led to some wonderful and life changing opportunities. He continued his music in high school and was chosen as drum major, leading the band on the field and in parades. He also sang in the Glee Club. After high school he attended Oklahoma State University and studied business. He continued playing music in a campus dance band called the Blue Notes and a short time later he was invited by a fraternity barbershop quartet to sing baritone and replace a member who had left the group. It just so happened that The Army Military Band was touring through Stillwater at this time and the quartet, known as "The Four Hits" was invited to audition for the band. The group was offered a position in the military, based in Washington D.C. and within days were scheduled to perform in front of a group of military men at the Pentagon, none of which was ranked below a one-star general. The group toured all over the Pacific and United States. At one of the tour stops, in Charleston, West Virginia, Glen met a young nursing student named Charlene, who had attended the concert with her classmates and then lingered after the show to meet the band. They began to court shortly after their introduction. After the military, Glen moved to Stillwater and finished his degree. Glen and Charlene were married in 1961. Eventually, seven children were born to this marriage. Glen's career in the food sales industry, real estate and telecommunications led the family to several different locations. In Stillwater, Glen fostered a love for his Alma Mater, Oklahoma State University. He enjoyed attending and cheering on his Cowboys in football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. In the later years, Glen loved the Big 12 Conference battles between his Oklahoma State Cowboys and Char's beloved West Virginia Mountaineers. At each new home, including Dallas, Leonard, and Hereford, Texas and finally, Tulsa, Glen, Char and the kids made lifelong friendships. Glen and Charlene always stressed to their children and grandchildren the importance of their faith, family and friendships. Glen never lost sight of his love and involvement in music. He was Music Ministry Leader at the Christian Community of God's Delight in Dallas and always a leader or member of parish choirs in each new town they lived. If you have any question about what kept Glen busy during his retirement, you only have to hear this next sentence. Glen had a special love for Charlene, his wife of 62 years, his seven children, 35 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. His life was full of baby-sitting, field-trips, dropping off and picking up, historical drives with the grandkids around Oklahoma, helping Charlene host sleep-overs with the grandkids, birthday celebrations and endless numbers of supportive phone calls. Glen and Char especially love their large family gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holiday celebrations. Glen was completely surrounded by loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made him happier than being Poppy. Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Marion and Georgia Anna Hazelbaker-Phibbs formerly of Stillwater; his brother and sister-in-law, George M. and Winnie Glenn-Phibbs formerly of Stillwater, his niece, Shannon D. Phibbs of Grass Valley, CA. and great-nephew Renzo Rodriguez of Stillwater. He is survived by his wife, Charlene K. Nicholson-Phibbs of Tulsa; his children Marianna McMillian (Ted Williams) of Leonard, TX; John C. Phibbs (Kristin) of Jenks, OK; Glen K. Phibbs (Dee Dee) of Tulsa; Teresa M. Martin (Keith) of Bixby, OK; Patrick B. Phibbs (Monica) of Tulsa; Michael A. Phibbs (Mary Beth) of Inola, OK; Angela C. Friemel (Randy) of Hereford, TX. He is also survived by his brother Paul A. (JoAnn) Phibbs of Stillwater and nieces Vana and Kerry Phibbs; his brother Roger L. (Debra) Phibbs of St Louis, MO and nephew Donald Phibbs, nieces, Gayle Hoover and Darla Gomez; nephew Cecil Phibbs and niece Carla Phibbs; 35 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Glen E. Phibbs

July 18, 1937 - March 21, 2023