Philip Stolper

Philip Stolper, 96, passed away Monday, April 20, 2015. Funeral services will be held at Cornerstone Funeral Home in Muskogee on Thursday, April 23 at 10:30 AM with burial to follow at Greenhill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity. Friends may visit with the family at Cornerstone from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Thursday before the funeral. A Shiva service will be held at 4:30 PM Thursday at Tulsa Jewish Retirement Center. Phil was born December 20, 1918 in Muskogee, the second son of European immigrants Samuel and Eva (Alperin) Stolper. He attended Franklin Elementary and West Junior High Schools and was a 1936 graduate of Muskogee Central High School. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1940 where he was a member of Phi Beta Delta fraternity. Phil served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II as a parts supply technician for a B-29 squadron on Guam. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946. After the war, Phil became a partner in The Boston Store, a downtown Muskogee family clothing store founded in 1913 by his father. Phil operated The Boston Store for over 32 years until 1978 when it was destroyed in a major fire. He worked part-time after retiring from The Boston Store including employment with the U.S. Veterans Administration from 1997-2006. He fully retired at the age of 88. Phil was active in community service throughout his adult life. He believed that his parents were fortunate to have settled in Muskogee and he felt a strong obligation to give back to the community. In 1955, he was appointed to the Citizens Hospital Committee that planned the relocation and construction of the new Muskogee General Hospital (now EASTAR Main Campus) at Hatbox field. He was a charter board member of the Golden Rule Industries, later known as Goodwill Industries. He also served on the Muskogee Metropolitan Planning commission from 1966-1972. He was Board Chairman of the Muskogee chapter of The Salvation Army in 1965-66 and received its “Others” award in 1970 and Life Membership in 1971 in recognition of his leadership in the fundraising and construction of Salvation Army’s building on South Main Street. He had great compassion for the homeless and supported the work of The Salvation Army in serving this need. In 1979, he was appointed to the Muskogee Community Relations Commission and Fair Housing Board. He was on the board of the Muskogee County chapter of The American Red Cross and served as chairman for the construction of the former Red Cross headquarters on North Sixth Street. He also served as a board member of the Eastern Oklahoma Council of Boy Scouts and the Muskogee Little Theatre from which he received the Kerslake Business Award in 1989. He was a member of Muskogee Country Club, Elks Lodge and other organizations. Phil was a member of Temple Beth Ahaba since childhood and served as its president for many years. In 1984, he handled negotiations for Beth Ahaba when the congregation exchanged its original building for a new one built by First Baptist Church that was seeking a way to expand. He was very proud of this cooperation between the congregations and his role in it. Phil and Nancy married in 1955 and the couple enjoyed 59 years of marriage and many happy family times. They moved from Muskogee to Tulsa one year ago. In addition to Nancy, survivors include four children and their spouses: Dan and Jennie Stolper; Susan and Richard Frapart; Sally Jo and Bob Bybee; and Jon and Angie Stolper; and grandchildren and spouses Allison Hearne (Mike), Adam Frapart (Lauren), Jeffrey Stolper (Lisa), Stephen Frapart, Haley Bybee, Ashley Bybee, Nathan Stolper and Matthew Stolper. He also leaves two nephews, Jay Stolper and Mike Stolper, of San Diego and a brother-in-law, Dick Puklin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles, of Ponca City. The family wishes to thank Dr. Yee Se C. Ong, Dr. John Carment and Phil’s nursing team at Tulsa Jewish Retirement Center for their compassionate care.

Philip Stolper

December 20, 1918 - April 20, 2015