Obituary of Charles Philo

PHILO, Charles Henry, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died Thursday, August 24, 2006 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Charles was born in Indian Lake, NY on February 20, 1930 to Frank Philo and Julia Noble Philo. In 1948 he left his parents and older sisters, Dorothy Philo and Betty Philo Arsenault and joined the Air Force, in which he served with great distinction. He was awarded many commendations in his 21 year career in the service, including the Bronze Star during the Korean War. After being stationed in Japan, France and the States he retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in 1969 and moved from Altus AFB, Oklahoma with his wife and two daughters to Tulsa. It is here he began a successful second career with Honeywell, Inc. as a Senior Service Representative, retiring in l992 with much honor. Upon retirement, Charles continued his tireless volunteer work in the community at Meals on Wheels and Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, where he and his wife Millie have been members for 37 years. His service and dedication will be greatly missed, as well as his roles as board member, mentor and friend to so many. His life and work drew deeply upon his Christian ideals and devotion to duty and honor. In all his roles as a man, as soldier, husband, father, grandfather, and Christian, Charles left an example of grace, excellence, duty and love which will continue to light the way to those he left behind, for our lives and generations to come. To say he will be loved and missed is to barely express the measure of loss we all feel. Preceded in death by his parents, sisters and nephew David Arsenault. Charles is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Millie B. Philo, his daughter Catherine Philo Lackey and son-in law Anthony Lackey (Tulsa), and daughter Sandra Philo Elbon and son-in law Brett Elbon (Tulsa), and nephews Michael Arsenault (Memphis, TN), Joseph Arsenault (Albany, NY) and Gregory Arsenault (Indian Lake, NY). He also leaves two adoring granddaughters, Grace Addison Elbon and Greer Elizabeth Elbon, to whom he was very devoted. A Memorial service will be held 2:00pm, Wednesday, August 30 at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church and an interment with full military honors will be held 1:00pm, Friday, September 1 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Meals on Wheels, 12620 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74146 or to Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 7903 E. 15th St., Tulsa, OK 74112.