Philip Smith Webster

He was born in Berkeley, California on September 11th, 1948, the son of Wilbur Elmer and Anastasia (Gallishaw) Webster. He was raised with one brother and two sisters, Burr, Kim and Patricia. The family settled in the East Coast in the Baltimore, Maryland area. While he was young, Flip enjoyed playing lacrosse, tennis and had a serious love for all things involving cars and engines. He was extremely capable and in his later life built a Ford Cobra kit car, which is certainly no small feat.

Upon graduating he served in the United States Navy, doing jet engine repair. Upon his honorable discharge, he began his working career and his family. In his 30-year marriage to Jenny Callicott Webster, he was the proud father of one son and one daughter, Christopher and Allison.

He was a successful entrepreneur and was in the forefront of cellular technology, as well as real estate development and later moving to the field of medical orthotics with Leeder Group.

Flip always loved to travel and explore new places and cultures. In the 1970’s he did a yearlong round-the-world trip with his wife, starting in Europe and ending in Southeast Asia. In the early 1990’s he and his young family moved from Boston to Costa Rica and lived there for almost 20 years. He liked to spend free time on various hands-on projects, reading about historical events and psychology, and showed a love and understanding of technology that kept him and his family ahead of the curve.

You knew when Flip was around; he made his presence known. He was larger than life, he took no nonsense from anyone, yet had one of the most generous and loving hearts you would ever find. He had the laugh that filled the room and a smile that made it all the brighter. He was always keen on learning more and planning his next project. Before his health began to fail him, he was still buying and renovating properties. A lifelong dog lover, Flip always found companionship and honor caring for dogs over the years, spanning numerous state and country borders, and his dog Nola was a great comfort to him in his final days.

He was the proud grandfather of three grandchildren, James Li Webster, David Li Webster and Finn Webster Thomas, and any chance he had to spend with them was precious time.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father and his brother, Burr.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Christopher Webster and wife Sha Li Webster of Lake Forest, CA, and daughter Allison Eve Webster and husband Jake Thomas of Vermont. He has two sisters, Kim Webster Miller and Patricia Beatley Patterson and husband Rodney Patterson. He lives on in his grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.

Flip will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery.