Phil Elerick Obituary (1947 - 2024)

David Jones '66 said:

Name Philip Gale "Phil" Elerick
Cemetery: Jones IOOF Cemetery
Burial City: Jones, Oklahoma County, Oklahom
Burial Plot: Block 4 North, Lot 324, Site D
Latitude: 35.552572 Longitude:-97.299150

Obituary:
Philip Gale Elerick entered this world on November 30, 1947. He passed away on Tuesday,
February 13, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents: Max and Bonnie Elerick, and his
brother Jim Elerick. He is survived by wife Kathy Hill Elerick, daughter Cate Elerick Cheatwood
and her husband Chad, son Chris Elerick, wife Keri, and grandsons Drew and Grant, as well as
brother Johnny Pat Elerick, sister Karen Campo and sister Kathi Pruitt. And now, the rest of the
story…

Phil attended school and church in Jones, Oklahoma as part of a family of 5 brothers and sisters.
Growing up in the 1950's with 4 siblings, mayhem in some form or fashion was generally the
norm. The results, while somewhat harmless, have been the focal point of stories at family
reunions and gatherings for decades.

In high school, 2 things happened that shaped the rest of his life. He developed into an
exceptional athlete with a strong arm garnering attention from baseball scouts and college
football coaches alike; and more importantly he met a girl who eventually became his wife of 55
years.

After high school he attended OSU on a full athletic scholarship. After leaving school Phil was
drafted by the Army and just before deployment, he and Kathy eloped to Dallas to get married.
Phil Elerick served our country in Vietnam as a Combat Medic with the 101st from May 1968 -
May 1969 and was awarded the Bronze Star along with other commendations. Upon his return
he graduated from Central State (UCO) where he played baseball and got his degree.

Over the next 4 decades life happened. As a successful football coach, he always enjoyed the
next challenge, so Coach and Mrs. E made many towns across the state their home. Whether it
was Billings, Chandler, Cashion, Ryan, Turpin, Cordell, Drumright or any of the other stops in
between, there was always a common theme: winning games, but more importantly winning at
life by helping others. While their home was always open and a place of hospitality, he had a
knack for motivating not only his teams, but finding those who needed a kind word, a bit of
reassurance, or maybe a handwritten note. His career was highlighted with 194 wins, 2 state
championships and 3 state runner-up finishes. He was a member of the 8-man coaches
association and In 2009, he was awarded a Hall of Fame induction by the Oklahoma Coaches
Association. In 2001 he got his favorite title of Grandpa and soon became known as Pops. His
favorite hobby became watching ball games from T-ball all the way through the twins' college
football career.

Phil enjoyed his time traveling with Kathy, and their frequent trips to the casino with his brother.

Today we say goodbye to a man who stood in the gap for so many over the years. Tip of the cap
Legend.