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Phillip Richard Howe, age 75, passed away November 3, 2021, at his home in Ponca City, Oklahoma. A service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. To honor Phil's love of golf and his OSU Cowboys, all are welcomed to wear their favorite golf shirt and/or dress in orange and black. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601
Phil was born on December 11, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a baby, he was adopted and was the only child of his parents, Homer and Hazel Howe. Phil grew up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, in his early years, and later moved to Ponca City. He was a 1964 graduate of Ponca City Senior High. In high school, he was a Big Blue marching band member and sat first chair clarinet. Besides being a talented musician, Phil’s passion was on the golf course. As a junior in high school, he won the 1963 high school state golf championship and was the first person from Ponca City to win a state championship in golf. After graduation, Phil attended Oklahoma State University and played on the OSU golf team as a freshman. In 1966, he joined the United States Air Force and was assigned as a jet engine mechanic during the Vietnam War at Webb Air Base in Big Spring, Texas. In 1967 he married his wife, Carol Hall - a fellow 1964 PoHi classmate - and they had their first child, Krista, in 1969, while stationed in Big Spring. After being honorably discharged that same year, Phil moved his family back to Ponca City. In 1971, Phil and Carol had their son Jimmy, he finished his education at OSU, and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in business.
Phil followed in his father’s footsteps and worked as a journeyman plumber/contractor in the Ponca City area for many years. Many of the plumbers in Ponca City today have, in fact, worked with or for Phil at one time or another. His son-in-law, Todd described Phil as an “old-school plumber.” He and Carol owned Phil Howe Plumbing and helped build many of Ponca City’s businesses and schools. He was the plumbing contractor for the PoHi Fine Arts building, the remodel of East Junior High, the new Blackwell Elementary School, and the Ponca City Civic Center. Phil’s business also led him to many jobs around the state and even jobs in Arkansas. Son Jimmy, son-in-law Todd Harbeson, and grandson Jacob Harbeson all learned the plumbing trade and earned their journeyman licenses under Phil’s guidance.
Phil was also a member of First United Methodist Church for his adult life. He was a member of the Good News class and was the chairman of the Trustees’ committee for several years where his construction knowledge was put to good use. In his later years, he and Carol enjoyed the friendship and domino competitions with their Sunday night church group - Dick and Arleen Jacobson, Johnny and Marsha Caudle, Joyce Shreffler, Brice and the late Grace Chism, the late John and Peggy Krider.
Of all his accomplishments in life, Phillip was most proud of his children, Krista and Jimmy, and especially of his grandsons, Jacob, Will, and Nate. During the last year of his life, Phil and Carol moved in with their daughter Krista and husband Todd and truly enjoyed the busyness of the home, talks with his grandsons, and the companionship of his dogs Rosie and Mitzi. Family meant everything to Phil, and he will be truly missed.
Phil is survived by wife Carol Howe of the home, daughter Krista Harbeson and her husband Todd of the home, James Howe, wife Darla, and step-grandson Joe Burns of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and grandsons Jacob Harbeson and wife Cheyenne, Will Harbeson, and Nate Harbeson, all of Ponca City.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Hazel Howe, his much-loved in-laws, Rufus and Bessie Hall, and great-grandson, Oliver William Harbeson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Jacobson, Johnny Caudle, Brice Chism, Mark Eitzmann, Ron Hudnall, and Rod Murray.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials or donations to be made to Lew Wentz Junior Golf Camp at Wentz Memorial Golf Course in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
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