Philip Julian Judkins was born in Tulsa, OK to Hassell and Myrtle (Dickerson) Judkins on November 19, 1932. He graduated from Central High School in 1950, meeting the love of his life, Laura Worden, the week of graduation. Phil and Laura married in 1952 and celebrated their 72nd anniversary in June of this year. Phil was attending the University of Tulsa at that time. One year after their wedding, Phil was drafted by the Army into the Korean War. Because he was in college studying business and knew how to type, he was selected to go to Frankfurt, Germany and work in the Army Payroll Office. Upon his discharge in 1955, Phil returned to TU to complete his degree. Phil spent his first career as an insurance claims manager.

Phil and Laura welcomed daughter Linda, and later, daughter Karen to the family and they lived in Tulsa most of those years.

During his lifetime, Phil had interests and hobbies that he pursued passionately. He was a voracious reader of Clive Cussler novels as well as John Grisham and other suspense/adventure books. When he was 4 years old, he became obsessed with pipe organs after his older brother, Harlan, introduced him to the powerful music at Tulsa's early theatres. Phil and Laura chartered the Sooner State Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society in the early '60s and he eventually installed a theatre pipe organ in his and Laura's home. He was also involved in the installation of quite a few theatre pipe organs around Tulsa. In 2014, the completely renovated Circle Cinema opened with its original organ, which Phil had restored and installed in the theatre. After the opening, Phil was named Staff Organist for the Circle and often played before and after silent movies and events. This gave him a measure of local celebrity. On April 27, 2024, Phil was honored by the Circle Cinema as they dedicated the theatre organ to him and the Mayor of Tulsa proclaimed the day as Phil Judkins Day in Tulsa. Phil and Laura were surrounded by all of their family for this celebration. Phil never fully retired, serving as Curator of the Organ for Tulsa's First Methodist Church from shortly after his retirement in 1992 until June of 2024, well past the age of 91. One of his great pleasures in life was caring for and expanding on this magnificent instrument for so many years.

Most of Phil's hobbies were larger scale. He was instrumental in the move of the massive 4500 steam locomotive from Mohawk Park to Southwest Blvd where it is part of a Route 66 exhibit. He also had a large HO scale train layout at home. He restored many antique cars over his lifetime and was part of many automobile clubs, serving as president through the years. He and Laura also were part of two Airstream clubs and traveled throughout the US with family and friends for many years.


Phil was a quiet, soft-spoken leader, always ready to share his knowledge to help others. A gentle, kind-hearted man, he was a lifelong Christian who loved his God and family deeply, was a devoted husband to Laura, and the best "Daddy" to his daughters. He is survived by his wife, Laura, daughters Linda (Michael) Klingmann of Ashland City, TN and Karen (William) Hanisch of Pukalani, Maui, HI; his grandchildren Nathan (Emily) Vooys, Nicholas Vooys, Alexander (Lindsay) Vooys, Abby (Joe) Fulton, Coleby (Meredith) Hanisch, and Cameron Hanisch; and great grandchildren: Lucas, Henry, Evelyn, Brinkley, Rowen, Hailey, and Ezra.

Funeral Services for Philip Julian Judkins will be 1:00 PM Monday, December 9, 2024 at the First Methodist Church, 1115 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, followed by interment at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
His family will receive friends on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Moore Funeral Home, Southlawn Chapel, 9350 East 51st St., Tulsa, Oklahoma.