Phillip Phelps

On Tuesday, May 23, 2006 one of the Lord's more remarkable servants, Phil Phelps, age 69 of Tyler, Texas was called home after a courageous and lengthy illness. Phil Phelps, known to his family and numerous friends, as "Pepe" was beloved, cherished and honored as a man of values, integrity and honesty. Rare do we find a man who has lived by the values that he professes. Phil Phelps not only talked of God's love, his life and family are living proof of the Lord's blessings. Born June 1, 1936 to the late Joe and Ann Phelps, Phil grew up on the east side of Hamilton, Ohio. Instilled with hard work, uncommon common sense and a gift of humor, Phil's youth gave him a foundation to appreciate what he had and what he learned, traits that would serve him throughout his life. Practical, motivated and humble Phil Phelps saw a purpose with his life, found his calling and made the most of his gifts. In high school all of the qualities of Phil's youth made him a natural leader. In 1954 as co-captain of his team, Phil helped guide the legendary Hamilton High Big Blue basketball team to its third state championship. In a day and age when high school sports ruled and its heroes lionized, Phil remained humble keeping all he had accomplished in proper perspective. Leaving Hamilton High Mr. Phelps attended the University of Kentucky, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Phil continued his prowess on the basketball floor playing for another "big blue" team under a coach by the name of Adolph Rupp. Surviving Mr. Phelps is his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly 51 years, Marti Craft formerly of Hamilton. Starting a young family then later a business, Marti & Phil forged a marriage of strong faith & love and a remarkable tenacity for business. Side by side for over 50 years Marti stood with Phil for all the wonderful times and those that weren't as easy. Through numerous family moves and career advances Marti and Phil centered on two absolutes: love of family and faith in the Lord. A lesson not lost on their children. In addition to his beloved wife are two wonderful children, daughter-in-law and son-in-law. Son Jeff and his wife Jill of Tyler and daughter Marta Kay and her husband Steve also of Tyler. In 1960 Mr. Phelps joined Schulmberger Well Service moving his young family to Corpus Christi, Texas. A dedicated employee for over 17 years, Mr. Phelps excelled and advanced with Schlumberger with moves to Victoria, Brownfield, Houston and Shreveport, Louisiana before settling in Tyler Texas in the mid-seventies. In 1977 Mr. Phelps partnered and helped begin MP Industries, Inc. The company soon became a vital economic success in Tyler and throughout the state. So much so that in a few years MP Industries, Inc. was honored with the Small Business Award for the State of Texas. This spring MP Industries held a grand celebration to mark the beginning of it?s 30th year in operation. The company was also recognized by national politicians, in 1988 Democratic Presidential Nominee, Michael Dukakis officially kicked off his Texas campaign along with Lloyd Bentsen at MP Industries, a signal of the company's tremendous success in Tyler and within the oil industry. For 30 years Phil Phelps was an active Deacon at Green Acres Baptist Church. Along with teaching and directing the youth Sunday school program, Mr. Phelps sponsored numerous youth camp trips while serving as the Dean of Men. Touching the lives of so many young people, Mr. Phelps was an active coach for Green Acres' softball teams, reaching the state playoffs on several occasions. He also coached his grandchildren in the church's summer basketball league. In each of these capacities, Phil Phelps showed by example and led by the same. The lives of so many young men and women are forever intertwined with the wit, humor and common sense of the man they all called Pepe. Mr. Phelps served in the community teaching Junior Achievement for 15 year and served as president of Crime Stoppers for 2 years. Mr. Phelps was a dedicated blood donor at the Stewart Blood Bank becoming a member of the 200 Gushers Club. On Mondays, Mr. Phelps was often at local hospitals visiting friends and church family giving them the comfort of prayer and the relief of a quick joke or a flash of his unforgettable smile. It was these visitations that Mr. Phelps treasured as much as anything he ever did. In 2004 at his 50th high school class reunion, Mr. Phelps organized an active prayer chain for his former classmates. Throughout his life, Mr. Phelps gave to others this was central to who he was. Each Sunday his children, grandchildren along with their friends would gather in the warmth and welcome smile of Pepe's home. The grandchildren became interwoven in all things that happened in Mr. Phelps' life and for this they have been blessed. Pepe's surviving grandchildren are: Kelli Fitzpatrick Armstrong (Blake), Jayme Fitzpatrick, Maggie Fitzpatrick, Matt Phelps and Neill Phelps all of Tyler. His brother Norman and his wife Janet of Dataw, South Carolina, also survive Mr. Phelps. Two sisters-in-law Mary Law (Richard) of Hamilton and Shirley Prather (Bill) of Evansville, Indiana. Six nephews who adored their Uncle Phil also survive him: Scott Adams (Kim) and Sean Adams all of Evansville, Indiana. Rick Law (Bev) of Hamilton, Ohio, Greg Law (Kim) of Wilmington, Ohio, Seth Phelps (Charis) of Jacksonville, Florida and Scott Phelps (Gina) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pallbearers for Mr. Phelps will include: Ken Dance, Dale Eppler, Harold Lee, James Milstead, Jerry Morris and Larry Price. Honorary Pallbearers are the Deacons of Green Acres Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the Green Acres Youth Department or the charity of your choice. In the final year of his life there were two significant events that provided Mr. Phelps tremendous joy in days of tremendous pain. The birth of his only great-grandchild, Avery Craft Armstrong gave Pepe a burst of joy and energy as a new life came to his family. Another life for him to touch. He cherished little Avery who in turn with her precious smile gave him comfort, hope and immeasurable happiness. The second event occurred this past February when Mr. Phelps was at long last recognized for his athletic ability on the hardwood. Inducted into the Hamilton High Athletic Hall of Fame, Mr. Phelps was honored for his leadership of the '54 State Champions as well as his 268 career points placing him 32nd on the all time scoring list of the old Big Blue. The induction ceremony on Mr. Phelps final visit to his hometown encapsulated all that was important to him. Not the athletic achievements of his life, but those who surrounded him in his life. In an emotional speech, Mr. Phelps insisted on naming every family member in attendance. Reading over 40 names, Mr. Phelps celebrated the gathering of those who had come to celebrate the joy, life and athletic success of the man who had given them so much. While other inductees thanked coaches and teachers for their athletic accomplishments, Mr. Phelps thanked his family for their love, steadfastness and support of him not as an athlete, but as husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and great-grandfather. For Phil Phelps it was a final testament to the richness of his life. The family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M., Friday at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., south Tyler. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2006 in the Chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. David Dykes, Rev. Bob Billups, and Dr. Paul Powell officiating. Private burial will be held at Cathedral in the Pines in Tyler, Texas under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Abraham Lincoln once said, "in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Phil Phelps had: Fifty-one years of marriage. Athletic ability. Educational achievement. Business success. Love of family. Love for your neighbor. And an unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil Phelps had a life well lived. A life that counted. More importantly, a life to remember. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Phillip Phelps

June 1, 1936 - May 23, 2006