Photos © by Kay Marshall

Obit for Philip posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Funeral services Philip M. “Buz” St. John, age 75, of Norman will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 10, 2011 in The Chapel of the Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook Street in Norman.

Buz was born October 2, 1935 in Ft. Worth, Texas the son of Harmon and Hestal (Young) St. John.  He passed away early Sunday morning, August 7, 2011 at the Norman Regional Hospital.

Buz was educated in Ft. Worth, graduating high school there in 1953.  He later enlisted into the United States Army on August 18, 1954 serving more than 20 years before being honorably discharged on May 31, 1975. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Ina McCaleb on August 29, 1957 in Amarillo, Texas.  Together, Buz and Ina traveled the world, answering various calls of duty while serving in the United States Army. 

After their retirement in 1975, Buz and Ina moved to Norman, where Buz was active in  Masonic Lodge #38, Sojourner, Shriner, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Norman. 

During his retirement, Buz enjoyed researching and learning about numerous things.  Once his interest was peaked, he would spend countless hours educating himself on how everything worked, its history and purpose.  Buz loved to share and tell stories about his life and the events that he encountered.  He also enjoyed working with stain glass, creating things from wood, and could play the guitar and the harmonica. 

Buz also served as the electronic technician and character actor for the Second Stage Players of Norman.

Buz's absence will be felt by many, but his memory and great sense of humor will live on in the hearts and minds of the people who lives he touched.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 54 years, Ina St. John; three sons; Stephen Philip St. John and his wife, Angela of Wichita Falls, Texas, Stewart Wayne St. John of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Matthew Craig St. John of Hickory, North Carolina; one daughter, Kimberley A. Withers and her husband, Scot of Cheyenne, Wyoming; seven grandchildren; Mark Brown, Allison St. John, Ellen St. John, Grace Withers, Carolina Withers, Melinda Ensley, and Jessica Tester; four great grandchildren; Gage Brown, Leon Andrews, MeKena Tester, and Leyah Ensley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one granddaughter, Ashley Brown on March 28, 2011.

The St. John family will greet friends and family from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.

Burial will conclude in the I.O.O.F Cemetery of Norman under the direction of the Havenbrook Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Philip M. “Buz” St. John to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607