Phillip "Phil" Jay Cronk passed away on March 28, 2025 at his home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Phil's life will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel in Stillwater, Oklahoma. A private interment will occur at a later date in Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon, Oklahoma. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements


Phil was born on December 18, 1943 to Fred and Doris (Hibnes) Cronk in Sidney, Nebraska. He was the first of six brothers to be born in a hospital. He grew up in Sidney and on an acreage near Peetz, Colorado with his five lively brothers, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1961 as Class President, Homecoming King, and Most Popular Boy. Upon graduation, Phil was awarded a basketball scholarship to attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, where he attended and played basketball from 1962 to 1964. During the 68th annual Northeastern Junior College (NJC) commencement exercises, the college`s alumni association honored Phil and his brothers with the 2011 Pride in Association Award. Five brothers were on hand to accept the award before a packed arena and were met with a standing ovation. This award is bestowed upon a family or individual who has provided support, dedication and loyalty to the college over the years.

From NJC, Phil transferred on scholarship to Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska to continue his basketball career. He earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1966 and taught school and coached basketball in Potter, Nebraska, for one year. His first year coaching results were impressive as his team earned the title of Nebraska state runner-up. From there, Phil joined the Navy in 1968 and became an aviator. His instructor pilots discovered that he had an "inherent talent" for flying helicopters and this became his primary job duty assignment. During his time serving in Vietnam, he flew over 700 missions for which he was awarded 21 Air Medals and numerous other decorations. Phil came from humble means but his 20 years of service in the United States Navy allowed him to see the world. He stood on every continent with the exception of Antarctica and enjoyed sharing the stories of his travels with family and friends. Phil successfully completed numerous shore and seagoing assignments and retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lt. Commander in 1988, after 20 years of service.

Upon retiring from the military, Phil combined his degree in education with his experience as a pilot and began a second successful career with United Airlines in Denver, Colorado. Phil was employed at the United Airlines Training Center as a "Fleet Technical Instructor", training pilots on 757 and 767 airplanes. After 27 years of service, Phil retired from United Airlines in 2019.

Above all else, Phil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. He was a proud father to daughter, Stephanie and son, Eric, and was especially fond of grandsons, Jonathan and Conner. In 2019, he married his lifelong friend, Pamela A. (Hammond) Swanson. Pam and Phil shared a love of travel and enjoyed time together

In Hawaii, Rome, the Caribbean, and road tripping through the Southwest. Phil remained close to his brothers and their wives and enjoyed their annual reunions in Las Vegas. Phil and Pam's marriage brought Phil even more family, who quickly became like his own. In 2021, Phil and Pam moved to Stillwater, OK to be closer to their family. Phil could often be seen walking the golf course looking for loose balls and enjoying time with Sloan and Sawyer.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Keith and Don Krause; and nephew Steven Cronk. He is survived by his wife, Pam; brothers Spencer (Treva) Cronk, Ronald (LaDonna) Cronk, Jerry (Cheryl) Cronk; daughter Stephanie (Brian) Soule; son Eric (Tamera) Cronk; grandsons Jonathan Cronk and Conner Soule; brothers-in-law Chuck Hammond (Pat), Kevin Hammond (Patty); step-daughter Tuesday (John) Neary; step-sons Lance (Christi) Swanson and Trent (Riann) Swanson. Step grandchildren Garrett, Nathan, and Samuel Neary, Carter, Landry, and Cal Swanson, Parker Smith and Sloan and Sawyer Swanson; and extended family including numerous nieces, nephews and step nieces and nephews.