Philip Kent Kinzie

Philip Kent Kinzie, 74, of Stillwater, passed away in his home surrounded by family on August 2, 2026. He was born on January 24,1952 in Cushing, OK to Oliver and Phyllis Kinzie. He was united in marriage to Annette (Kincaid) Kinzie on June 20, 1981.Kent completed his elementary and high school education in Cushing, OK, graduating with the class of 1970. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration in 1974. Upon graduating, Kent briefly left Stillwater to work for his family restaurants; The Dairy Hut in Tulsa, OK and the Steer Inn Restaurant in Mannford, OK. In 1978, Kent returned to Stillwater to continue his family business and build a new restaurant. What began as a franchise from the West Coast became another Steer Inn location in Stillwater for many years. Though the family eventually sold the restaurant, the building that Kent established remains today, serving as the current location of Freddie Paul’s Steakhouse. After marrying Annette, the couple purchased Leonard Jewelry in 1983 and owned the store together for over 40 years.Kent was raised on a dairy farm, where he and his family showed Jersey cattle and traveled across the United States with their champion herd. He participated in 4-H and FFA, serving as Vice President during high school. One of the many highlights of Kent's FFA work was winning the Showmanship Contest in the National All-American Dairy Show in 1969. In high school, Kent competed in many sports, but his fondest memories came from playing basketball under his beloved Coach Max Combrink. Growing up, Kent also loved hunting quail and fishing with his family. Kent was always a proud supporter of Oklahoma State University and enjoyed attending games to cheer loudly for the Cowboys and Cowgirls across all sports.Kent was a champion and advocate for his community and took pride in supporting local activities. He was a member of the Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity at Oklahoma State, Downtown Stillwater BID Board, Stillwater Main Street Association, the Visit Stillwater Board of Directors, the Independent Jewelers Organization Board of Directors, Skull Jewelry Advisory Board, and served as a United Way Campaign Chair and President of the Stillwater Rotary Club. During his rotary service, Kent was honored and named a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian.Above all, Kent valued his faith and family. He was raised in the Church of the Brethren in Cushing, where his family was involved in numerous church activities. Later in life, Kent and Annette were active members of First Baptist Church in Stillwater, serving as Sunday School teachers together and leading the college ministry while their daughter was attending OSU. Kent and Annette also held a weekly Bible study in their home for many years, creating lifelong friends and relationships. The Kinzie family and homestead were incredibly dear to him, and he was devoted to staying in touch with his relatives and spending time with them when possible. Kent cherished his family and treasured all the memories and history among them.Kent considered his greatest accomplishment in life his two children; Avery and Kaid. Nothing gave him more joy than spending family time together, whether playing at home, traveling, or even working together at the jewelry store. He was the biggest fan, mentor, and supporter of their activities and interests; whether it was sports teams, dance, showing horses, or holding a movie camera for hours while the kids performed.Kent loved being with people, and his outgoing and warm personality was felt by all those who knew him. While he had a strict work ethic, he also had a fun, goofy side that showed outside the workplace. Kent had a deep love for space and NASA, along with an appreciation and extensive knowledge of cars. If given the opportunity, Kent often said he would have jumped at the chance to be an astronaut or race car driver.Surviving family members include his wife Annette and two children: Avery of Stillwater, OK, and Kaid and wife Jaclyn of Stillwater, OK; two brothers and one sister: Allen Kinzie and wife Cynthia of Mannford, OK, Kris Kinzie and wife Denise of Cushing, OK, and Sheree Fielding of Cushing, OK; and many loving family and friends. Kent was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Phyllis Kinzie.A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church in Stillwater, OK on Friday, August 7 at 4:00 pm. A family visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Strode Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Kinzie Family Homestead Scholarship fund through the OSU Foundation (kkinzie@osugiving.com).