Phillip Ray "Plowboy" Julian passed away on June 15, 2026, at the age of 78. Born September 2, 1947, in Hugo, Oklahoma, to Tommy and Inez (Pound) Julian, Phillip spent his life collecting stories, friends, dogs, and adventures—though not necessarily in that order.

If you knew Phillip, you know there are some things he loved beyond all reason: a good hunting dog, the deer woods at daylight, a watermelon patch in July, a dirt road with no particular destination, and an audience willing to listen to a story.

Phillip could tell a story better than most people could live one. Some stories were true. Some were mostly true. Some got a little better every time they were told. Phillip never considered that a flaw. He considered it good storytelling. Anyone who knew Phillip knew of his love for John Wayne movies. While others watched them for entertainment, Phillip seemed to view them as instruction manuals. Of all of John Wayne's characters, Rooster Cogburn was his favorite - a rough-edged, fearless storyteller who lived by his own rules. Family and friends often joked that Phillip wasn't merely a fan of Rooster Cogburn; he was the Southeast Oklahoma version of him.

He graduated from Valliant High School in 1965, where he was a basketball standout and aptly earned the nickname "Romeo." Over the years he worked a variety of jobs, but farming was the work that he truly loved. Growing watermelons wasn't simply what he did; it was part of who he was. He loved watching things grow, loved the people he met along the way, and loved talking about all of it afterward.

Phillip was a lifelong member of Felker Baptist Church. His faith remained an important part of his life, alongside the simple things he loved most—time outdoors, good friends, and stories shared with anyone willing to listen.

His life was rarely ordinary. He was known for dog running, snuff chewing, back-road driving, pea shelling, mule riding, pistol shooting, dance floor dancing, friend making, and occasionally doing things that common sense strongly advised against. More often than not, he got away with it.

He married several times, loved deeply in his own way, and left behind a family tree that branched far and wide. He is survived by Bruce (Shari) Julian, Tommy (Staci) Julian, Phillip (Carlotta) Miller, Debbie (Travis) Elliott, Danny (Teri) Gibson, and Tonya (Jimmy) Scott, along with a host of grandchildren, honorary grandchildren, and three treasured great-grandsons: Daylan Blane Price, Gatlin Bruce Price, and Daxton Mark Thomas Julian.

In later years, he shared his life with his companion, Jane Crosby. Together they built a unique and enduring bond rooted in love, friendship, loyalty, and a deep appreciation for one another. Through life's adventures and quiet moments alike, Jane remained by his side, and their connection brought joy and comfort to them both.

The truth is that Phillip Julian was never trying to be perfect. He wasn't interested in being polished, proper, or predictable. He was interested in living life on his own terms, and he did exactly that for seventy-eight years.

We take great comfort knowing that Phillip is in Heaven, reunited with loved ones who have gone before him, where there is joy, peace, and no end to the stories worth telling. We can only imagine him sharing a tale or two and bringing a smile to those gathered around him, just as he did here on earth.