Philip E. Macy

1930-2023

A proud American, Senior Olympian, and a Dapper Dan Man, Philip Edward Macy left this earthly life on November 29, 2023, with his two daughters by his side. Born Dec. 6, 1930, at home in Crescent, Oklahoma to Mae Murry Macy and John Macy, Phil learned young how to change engine oil, rotate tires, and shoot snooker in his daddy’s Depression-era Chevy Dealership. While still in high school Phil became a certified Chevrolet Mechanic and the very best song & dance man in Logan County.

Phil went to Crescent schools where he was the star on the stage and athletic field. He fell in love with his childhood sweetheart, a farmgirl who lived outside of town named Frances Miller. Their courtship and eventual 73 years of marriage is of legend. They scraped together the money to attend Central State College in Edmond and married within a year. While a college student, Phil continued to work a multitude of jobs, as an oil field roughneck, and as an all-night gas station attendant. Meanwhile Frances, the school librarian, did his homework, earning two degrees in three years, graduating at his side. They were frugal, focused, and tethered by sheer determination and their red dirt roots.

As a college graduate, Phil was cherry-picked for Naval Officer Training where he earned one of the highest distinctions of his lifetime: The American Spirit Honor Medal. Phil and Frances consequently spent seven years in California courtesy of the United States Navy where Phil was often gone many months at a time “sailing the high seas” as the Chief Petty officer charged with carrier ship aircraft maintenance during the Korean Conflict.

Their lives were constantly punctuated by yet another used car purchase and in 1961 it was a gold VW. They packed up their toddler, tennis racket and a cherrywood dinette set and headed east to manifest destiny: St. Louis, Missouri. There they raised two daughters and countless other wayward neighborhood kids and families. It was here that Phil began playing competitive tennis and softball, winning medals, and making lifelong friendships. A man of faith, Phil became a lay leader at two different Methodist Churches and taught adult bible study classes for over 20 years. He and Frances sponsored many Methodist Youth Fellowships and in the 1970s they helped relocate displaced Vietnamese refugee families to the St. Louis area.

Phil Macy was the quintessential “company man,” a career spanning 30 years at McDonnell Douglas, leading, and inspiring a large workforce retrofitting airplanes, with his ever-positive outlook and persuasive personality. When he retired early from McDonnell, the couple eventually moved back to their Okie roots.

There was always a buckeye and a round toothpick in his left pocket and Phil proudly played the role of Uncle Sam each year, leading the annual 4th of July celebration at the farm. A joyous occasion.

Phil Macy was a sentimental sort who cried easily at a Hallmark film or during his daughters’ many musical performances. He loved his family. He loved to sing loudly in the church choir and foxtrot freely in the middle of the dancefloor. He loved the G.O.P., Jesus Christ, and basketball coach John Wooden (not necessarily in that order.) He loved Aunt Pete’s butterscotch pie, a good dog, Frank Sinatra, and a creampuff of a car. He loved helping Frances create nothing short of a renaissance at his family’s homestead, Centennial Bluebird Farm, circa 1900. But mostly, he loved his cherished life partner, Frances Nell who loved him dearly in return.

His legacy lives on through his eager and wide-eyed granddaughters, Miller Mae and Emma Joella Tennant, daughters Amy Macy (husband Doug) and Robin (Ken and Micah White.) He is survived by sister Peggy Cummings of Oklahoma City and Cousin Lynda Schedler of Colorado Springs.

A gathering at Bluebird Farm to Celebrate a Life well-lived is to be announced at a later date. Philip E. Macy, a wonderful guy - with tall tales and of course, butterscotch pie.

Published in the Guthrie News Leader - December 13, 2023