Phillip Killsfirst, Sr., Cache KCA Intertribal Cemetery, Comanche County, Oklahoma

Phillip Killsfirst

September 1, 1945 - January 11, 2023

Phillip Killsfirst Sr. 77 of Apache, Oklahoma passed away January 11th at his home. Phillip was born on September 1, 1945 in Lawton, Oklahoma to May Komardley Killsfirst and Benjamin Killsfirst. He was an enrolled member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and was also an Oglala Sioux Descendent. He was a descendent of Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and American Horse.

He attended school at Porcupine, South Dakota as a child before the family returned to Apache to reside he then attended Boone School . He would attend Apache High School.

He dropped out during his Senior Year of high school in 1966 to take care of family, He was drafted in the Army and later deployed to for Combat in Vietnam. While stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, for training, the military made him take his GED test and he passed. He was Honorably discharged in 1968. He was honored as a Special Graduate in 2014 at Apache High School. He would later attend and graduate from Oklahoma State Tech, Okmulgee, OK with a diploma in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. He worked for Woodwards Furniture, South West Inter Tribeable inc, CDI Home Builders.

He had a passion for horses, owned, and had them registered with the National Quarterhorse Association. His main hobby as he got older was to care for his horses.

While at Boone he met the love of his life Inola Tho Starr, they would later marry and start their family. They spent their lifetime raising their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the best Grandpa and always had a drink and snack waiting for his grandkids. He was a quiet, gentle man but had a Huge Heart for his family and grandchildren. He was well known in Apache for his expertise in HVAC and plumbing skills.

He was given his Indian Name at a Peyote Meeting in South Dakota while he was deployed. His dad Benjamin stood in for him and danced for him. His Indian Name is Tatanka translated as Bull Buffalo. His name means Someone who takes care of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, May Komardley and Benjamin Killsfirst, wife, Inola Killsfirst; son Steven Roy Killsfirst, brothers: George Komardley, Carter Tincy Komardley, Delbert Loach Komardley and Floyd Killsfirst. Sisters: Geraldine (Katy) Killsfirst, Alva Deana Komardley, Velma Doris Komardley, Rita May Komardley, Betty Komardley-French, Darlen Hutton and twin sister Charlene Cee Killsfirst. Nephew Ricky Killsfirst, great grandson, Micah Payne, Jr.

Phillip is surived by his children, daughter, Tina Schartzer of Apache, daughter Karen Killsfirst of Apache, son Phillip Killsfirst, Jr. and wife Wendy of Boone, son Kristopher Killsfirst, Sr. and wife Christa of Lawton, son Kam Killsfirst of Albuquerque, NM, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren: Brother Paul Killsfirst of Apache.