Phillip Semrad

The graveside memorial service celebrating and honoring the life of Phillip G. Semrad, 82, of Waukomis will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at 10 a.m. at the Waukomis Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

Phillip passed away on September 2, 2021, with his family at his side. Born and raised in Waukomis, OK to William (Bill) and Verda (Landwehr) Semrad in November of 1938.  Starting his first job as a paperboy around 7 years old, his work ethic was firmly in place.  He washed cars for his uncle’s car dealership, raised livestock, farmed, played basketball and at age 16, boarded a train for his first solo trip out of the state to St. Louis, MO, flashlight, and paper map in hand, drove back a new school bus on mostly unpaved roads for delivery to the Waukomis School District, where he graduated with the Class of 1957.  Phil’s pride and joy was building his first boat for entertaining classmates, including his first wife, Nancy Jo Meade (Saunders).  With marriage and a baby on the way, Phil went to work for OK Natural Gas, and continued farming.  Moving on to Conoco Oil, he spent several years building experience there, and took night classes to further his desire to have his own business.  Meanwhile, the family continued to grow, now four children in tow.  Life moved forward and with his second marriage to Diana Jo (Lochner), his fifth child was born, and the family was complete.

Phil founded, built, and managed Phil’s Kwik Shops in Waukomis, Laverne and Enid, OK and Wellington, KS, the local liquor store and a trailer park.  He was active in the Enid chapter of AMBUCS for many years. Through it all, he continued farming and raising cattle until reluctant retirement at age 78.  Hobbies mostly included building and tinkering with all things mechanical, model trains, cards, and dominoes.  Lake activities were a big draw with many weekends spent skiing, boating, fishing, hunting, and camping with family and friends over the years.  Always a traveler at heart, he fulfilled his dream with trips to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and most of the U.S.A.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lynn, former wives, Nancy and Diana, and dear daughter, Gretchen Boyer.  His family lives on with his sister, Lynda Coffin Sanders, of Idabel, OK, his children, Michelle (Jamie) Goodwin of Austin, TX, Suzanne (Matt) Scheibner of Atlanta, GA, Brendan (Marcie) Semrad of Stillwater, OK and Scott (Angee) Semrad of Deville, LA.  His legacy thrives with grandsons Dr. Zane Goodwin, St. Louis, MO, Ben Goodwin, Austin, TX, Cash Semrad, Deville, LA, Gavin Boyer, OKC, granddaughter Karley (Blake) Bostick, Edmond, OK and first great-grandbaby Leo Bostick, born just hours after his passing, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and their hope to carry on with his loyalty, love of home and family, and the rewards of a purposeful life.

Memorials may be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Karman Hospice of Stillwater, OK with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at www.brown-cummings.com