Philip W. Redwine

NORMAN - Philip Warren Redwine was born to Adolphus Carrol (AC) and Iva Clarice (Berryhill) Redwine in Dewey, Oklahoma, on March 21, 1942. He passed away in Oklahoma City after an extended illness on October 17, 2021.

After Phil’s birth the family moved to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, where AC worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until his death. Phil had a regular small town Oklahoma childhood which centered upon the First Christian Church, Pawhuska schools and sports. In high school he played football, baseball, and basketball. He graduated from Pawhuska HS in May 1960.

Upon graduation from high school Phil attended Philips University and then transferred to Oklahoma State University. While at OSU he was initiated into Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and remained an OSU fan throughout his life. Phil met Sarah Ann Redwine at OSU because they had the same last name. They became good friends and began to date after two years. They became engaged in the fall of 1963 and married on Jun 6, 1964, in Spiro, Oklahoma, at the First Baptist Church. They celebrated 57 years of a wonderful marriage this year. Phil graduated from Northeastern State University in May 1965 and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma Law School that fall. He graduated from OU Law School in the spring of 1968. While in law school he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He worked at the law library and other part time jobs. He was in ROTC, was named Distinguished Military Student and Graduate and was commissioned a Captain in the US Army.

Upon his admission to the Judge Advocate General Corps in September 1968, he enrolled at the JAG School at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Phil and Sarah’s first son, Philip, Jr., was born on November 15, 1968, in Norman while Phil was attending JAG School. After Phil graduated from the Jag School he was assigned to Ft. Ritchie, Maryland, as an assistant to the JAG officer and Sarah and Philip, Jr. joined him in January 1969. Within a year he became the post JAG officer. The Redwines were very involved in post activities and enjoyed visiting Washington, DC, and other historic sights which were nearby. In the fall of 1970, he was transferred to Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the JAG officer where he served two years. At the end of his Army service, he received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service from the Judge Advocate General Corps. While at Pine Bluff Arsenal their second son, Frederick, was born on September 18, 1971. After four years in the Army Phil and Sarah were glad to return to Norman with their family and he went to work as an attorney for Tom Lucas. He began his own law practice in April 1973. A third son, Ryan Allan, was born on July 3, 1977, in Norman.

Phil became involved in many activities. He was a member of the Norman Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as a director of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and drafted the organizational document for the Sooner Theater. He was also involved in the Mr. Red Hot Stockings Follies for the Norman Hospital Foundation, was president of Norman Athletic Association and raised funds to build the indoor baseball Facility at Norman High School. He also raised monies to expand the Fire House Art Station. He worked with Sarah on many Norman Public Schools projects and fundraisers through the years while their children attended Norman schools. He coached numerous baseball teams for his three boys as they grew up. He loved the sport and being with his sons on their teams. He also was very active in Boy Scouts and all other activities in which the boys were involved. He loved to fish and play golf with his children and grandchildren as well.

The focus of his general law practice was corporate, estate planning and civil litigation. He enjoyed helping others, solving problems and many times extended his services to those in need. He worked on cases concerning the entry of Walmart into Norman as well one involving the extension of the dairy which required the closing of Symmes Street. Another noteworthy case on which Phil worked resulted in the establishment of the current Sarkey’s Foundation.

As a lawyer Phil was selected as a Supernumerary Supreme Court Judge to assist in reduction of the Supreme Court’s backlog of cases. Governor David L. Boren appointed Phil as Supernumerary Insurance Commissioner when the current insurance commissioner recused his office from honoring an application from a foreign insurance company to obtain an Oklahoma license. In 2018 he received recognition from the Oklahoma Bar Association for more than 50 years of membership. His professional memberships include the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Cleveland County Bar Association, United States Court of Military Appeals, the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma and the United States Tax Court.

Phil was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1987 and battled the disease for more than 30 years. He was often called upon by the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society to speak at their meetings in order to encourage others in their battle against cancer.

Phil and Sarah have been members of First Baptist Church since 1973. He served in various capacities through the years including providing legal counsel as part of his service to the church. He served on the Family Life Center Building Committee and worked with Sarah on many church projects and activities. His Christian faith was very important to him, and he lived it daily in his activities and interactions with others.

He is survived by the best partner and wife a man could have (his words), Sarah Ann Redwine, of the home. They considered themselves a team. Survivors include his children, Philip, Jr. (Dedra), Frederick ( Justin), and Ryan (Stacy) as well as ten grandchildren, Hayley Suzanne Goodspeed (Lucas), Brooke Elizabeth Redwine, Philip Warren Redwine III (Trace), Brysan Allan Redwine, Tillman Beau Redwine, Holdan Troy Redwine, LeAnna Faith Redwine, Warran Terry Redwine, Daxan Lee Redwine, and Laytan Reece Redwine. Phil loved and enjoyed his children and grandchildren and spent many happy times with them. He was proud of them and thought each one was very special. He encouraged them in all their endeavors and activities. He wanted them to be good citizens, persons of faith and always try to do their best. He was as special to each one of them as they were to him. They called him “Grandpa” or “Papa”.

He is also survived by his siblings, Carroll Redwine (Shirley) of Ardmore, OK, Jane Bartlett (Bruce, deceased) of Kansas City, MO, Judge James M. Redwine (Peg) of Barnsdall, OK and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, A.C. and Clarice Redwine and Sarah’s parents, R.L. and Vermelle Redwine.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 22, 2021, at First Baptist Church, 2ll W. Comanche, with Dr. Ryan Redwine and Dr. Wade Smith officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Phil’s grandchildren and the Primetimers Life Group class of which Phil was a member for 48 years. The family will receive friends in Hallock Hall immediately following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to The Baptist Homes for Children (corporate office), 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112; donations: 405-942-3800, ext. 4688. Online condolences may be made to www.tribute. care. The service will be live streamed by First Baptist Church of Norman.