A scholarship fund has been named in honor of Tulsa shooting victim Dr. Preston Phillips
A Tulsa area scholarship fund for racial and ethnic minority students has been renamed in honor of Dr. Preston Phillips, the target and one of four victims of the mass shooting in Tulsa last week.
The family of Phillips asks that contributions be made to the Epsilon Iota Boulé – Dr. Preston J. Phillips Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers ahead of Saturday's funeral service. Phillips funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Boston Avenue Church in Tulsa. The service will be livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel.
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The $2,500 annual scholarship is for Tulsa area high school students who are going to attend a higher education institution and can be renewed for up to four years.
"Dr. Phillips was a lifelong advocate for student success and worked tirelessly to develop the scholarship fund that Epsilon Iota Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity has now renamed in his honor," a statement from the Phillips family said.
Dr. Preston Phillips loss leaves a 'void' in his family's lives
The loss of Phillips has "forever changed" the lives of his family, leaving a "void" that can't be filled, the statement said.
Phillips' wife, Melody, described him as her best friend and the love of her life.
"He set a standard that inspired each of his children’s personal growth," the statement said. "Even with his great accomplishments, he did not expect them to fill his shoes. His only desire was that they try their hardest, do their best and be good and honest people."
Tulsa shooting: Shooter targeted doctor, shot 'anyone who was in his way'
Phillips often traveled to Togo, Africa, where he helped "build clinics and hospitals, practice medicine, and deliver supplies to those desperately in need," the family said.
He was scheduled to return later this year, and his colleagues are working to find an orthopedist who can go in his place to ensure his patients receive the surgery and care they need, the statement said.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tulsa shooting victim Dr. Preston Phillips family speaks about loss
