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(Jan. 15, 1939 - Aug. 21, 2016)
Phillip Eugene Zeigler of Coffeyville, Kansas, passed away on Aug. 21, 2016, at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family.
Phillip was born in Coffeyville on Jan. 15, 1939. He is the son of Richard Arthur Zeigler and Maudie Fay Debo. He was the seventh of twelve children.
Phillip graduated from Field Kindley High, Class of 1956. He served 18 months in the U.S. Army National Guard in Fort Lenard Wood, MO, before beginning work at Malanders as a linesman in TX and OK. During that time, he traveled the rodeo circuit competing in bull and bareback riding. In 1961, he settled back in Coffeyville, KS and began working for Sherwin Williams. He pursued his passion with his brother, Pinkston “Pink” Zeigler by training racehorses. They leased stables at Walter Johnson Park and the racetrack for training. It was there where he met Mary Patricia Deitz. They were married in August 1965 and later had a son, Jim Ray. Phillip’s passion for horses continued but later took a backseat to his son’s school and sporting events. Phillip and Patty were active fans of high school football and wrestling and later, college wrestling. Phillip retired from Sherwin Williams more than 40 years later in 2004.
Phillip will be remembered and respected as an honest and hardworking man, a loving father and husband and a good horseman. He was unsung hero.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Patricia, and brothers Pinkston “Pink,” Dale, Gail, John, Lionel and sisters Virginia Miller and Emma Lue Burget.
Survivors include son, Jim Ray of Powell; brother Ronald of Marthasville, MO; Donald of Altamont, IL; Chester of Tulsa, OK; sister, Caroline Domanski of Omaha, NE; and mother-in-law, Joleen Hood of Coffeyville, KS.
Memorial services celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave in Coffeyville, at 1 p.m.
A Northwest College Wresting Scholarship has been established in honor of Phillip Zeigler. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Northwest College Foundation c/o Phillip Zeigler Wrestling Fund, 231 West Sixth Street, Powell, WY 82435. Donations can also be made via the web site: www.nwcollegefoundation.org, Giving>Give Now>‘Designation’ drop down: Other: type Phillip Zeigler Scholarship Fund, or donations may be left at the chapel.
