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Obituary for James "Jim" E. Phelps
Psalm 16:11 “In Your presence there is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Jim was born on March 13, 1936 to James K. and Georgia (Goding) Phelps in Colorado Springs, Colo. Jim went to heaven October 22, 2015. The family moved to Steamboat Springs, Colo. from Colby, Kan. when he was 12 years old. When he was 13, he attended a bible camp where he gave his heart to Christ. He graduated from Steamboat Springs High School where he played the French horn and the Mellophone in the band. After high school, Jim attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He loved his time there. After Moody, he attended the Biola School of Missionary Medicine in Los Angeles, Calif. where he earned his LVN degree. Also, he met his future wife, Annie Owen. They were married in Reno, Nev. (Annie’s home) on August 6, 1957. As newlyweds they moved to Wheaton, Ill. where Jim attended Wheaton College and earned his BA in anthropology. They had planned to be missionaries in Dutch, New Guinea but God had other plans. While at Wheaton College, their son, Jim, was born. Jim and Annie would have six children in total. They lived in Reno and Sparks for 6 years where Jim worked for the US Post Office, UPS and sold Fuller Brush products. He worked for UPS while attending summer school at the University of Nevada where he earned his teaching credential. He also bussed dishes from 4pm to midnight at a local casino restaurant in Reno and took classes from Monday to Friday, 9am to noon earning his teaching credential. He always had a job to take care of his growing family. Along with this busy schedule, he filled pulpits for several years in Fernley, Nev., Virginia City, Nev., Doyle, Calif. and Meadview, Ariz. He loved teaching the Bible! Jim later received his Master’s Degree from Southern Oregon University and his Administrative Degree from the University of Oregon. The family moved to Brookings in 1968 where Jim taught 4th grade at Kalmiopsis School for 12 years. He was Vice Principal at Azalea Middle School for 5 years, Curriculum Director for 1 year and Principal at Kalmiopsis for 12 Years. He loved his career in public education. Jim also loved hiking the Kalmiposis Wilderness and enjoyed so much taking his children and grandchildren with telling them the story of God’s great creation. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Annie of Brookings, children, Jim Phelps and his wife, Brenda, Laurel Ann Hupal and her husband, Mike, David Phelps, Margie Phelps, Becky Montgomery and her husband, Greg, Kathy Sloniker and her husband, Scott; grandchildren, Sarah Gonzalez, Gary Gonzalez, Ben, Jessica, Slade and Sydney Phelps, Dirk Stafford, Nate James, Michael, Rachael, Jesse and Danny Hupal, James Phelps, Issac Montgomery, Samuel Sloniker; great grandchildren, Issak and Haley Phelps, Urijah Gonzalez, Charlie Clithro and Melody Ann Hupal; brother, Dan Phelps and his wife, Linda, sister Carol Mercer and her husband, Jim, sister-in-law, Margie Brown; numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Paul, and a sister, Phyllis Hurd. A memorial service will be at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Smith River Baptist Church, 340 Highland Ave. in Smith River. Pastor Steve Alexander will officiate. A reception will follow at the church. We are looking forward to the day we will be together again in heaven worshipping our God and Savior. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.
