Obituaries Announcements

Phillip Prawl
formerly of Doniphan Co,

Philip Wayne Prawl of Spring Branch, Texas, died Jan 2, 2021 from complications due to diabetes. 

The youngest child of Samuel Haskell Prawl and Elizabeth Dittemore Prawl Newkirk, Philip was born on the family farm  in Severance, KS, July 18, 1936. Upon graduation from Severance High School, Phil joined the United States Navy and met and married Anna Dickey who was the mother of his  three children. Philip graduated from the University of Kansas and received his commission as a Naval Officer in Pensacola, Florida.  Philip retired at the rank of Commander from the US Naval Reserve. Phil loved the Navy and spent years at sea on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the Navy supply vessel USS Matthews. Philip also loved flying and earned his private pilot license in 1968. In 1971, Philip returned to Doniphan County, moving his family to Blair, KS.  During that time he earned his MBA at Northwest Missouri State then worked for the Federal government in Kansas City.  Philip taught Business courses at Missouri Western and Park University and loved being a part time professor. In 1978, Philip transferred to Salt Lake City. When he retired from the government, he discovered a new passion— traveling in an RV so he spent several years traversing the US.  Phil and Anna divorced and Phillip took the job as Economic Development Director in Gunnison, Colorado. After a year in Gunnison, Philip and his cousin John Manyon bought Eukena Hardware in Highland,KS, which they later sold. Phil started his own consulting firm “The Business Wizard”. At that time, he met and married Nancy Reynolds Prawl. Several years later, they divorced and he married Katherine Cochrane. For a short time, they lived in St. Joseph, Missouri, before finally settling in Spring Branch, TX. 

 Philip enjoyed mentoring young people and had special relationships with Charlie “Zack” Taylor, and David “Weasel” Miller whom he considered as second sons. 

He loved family gatherings and reunions.  He had a Sunday call list of friends and family he would contact each week. These calls will be sadly missed.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, brother Sherlund, and nephew Larry Prawl and his cousins Stacy and Norman Prawl.

In addition to his wife Katherine, Philip leaves behind his brother, Warren (wife Nancy), of Manhattan, and sister Beverly (husband Don) Kentzler, of Troy  his daughters Phyllis Prawl and Cheryl Prawl (husband Paul Klason) his son Pete (wife Beth), his granddaughter Katelyn Prawl,  step grandson ,Nicholas Milroy, and other step children and step grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

The family plans to inter his ashes at the Prawl family cemetery in Severance once Covid restrictions are relaxed in Spring or Summer. Announcement of time and place will be posted once known.