Gerald Allen Phelps

Gerald Allen Phelps, 78, a resident of Foley, Alabama, (formerly of Paducah, Kentucky), passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife, Anita; daughter, Pam; and granddaughter, Jadra at 6:18 a.m. Oct. 26, 2025, at the Baldwin Heath Center in Foley, Alabama, due to pneumonia complications.

Gerald was a retiree of The Paducah Sun after working there for 42 years. He started out as a printer and upon retirement on March 31, 2010, he was the IT Systems Manager responsible for the running operations of The Paducah Sun and Paxton Media Group newspapers. He loved every aspect of the newspaper business as he started out at a young age delivering newspapers in Metropolis, Illinois. He was responsible for several paper routes.

Gerald was a proud Navy veteran, having served from 1966 to 1968 (active) and until 1972 in the reserves. He was stationed the entire time of active duty in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on the tug fleet, the USS Shakori (ATF 162). His rank was Boatswain, which he was very proud of. He was a 1965 graduate of Metropolis High School. He was of the Baptist faith.

Gerald was an avid motorcyclist and had many Hondas and a Harley throughout the years. He made several trips out west and still talked about the scenery and the adventures of traveling several hundred miles a day. For several years in the 1970s and early 1980s, Gerald had a second hobby/job of building houses and garages in the area. He loved the construction part, and upon retirement from the newspaper, he had a large garage built where he loved to make things. Gerald also loved cars, Kentucky and Ohio State basketball, and especially Ohio State football...where he never missed a game when they were on TV.

Gerald was born on July 6, 1947, at noon in Metropolis, Illinois, to Daniel "Feathers" and Bertha Ramer Phelps, who preceded him in death.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Anita of Foley, Alabama (formerly Graves County, Kentucky); his daughter, Pam (Kerry) Fulcher of Paducah, Kentucky; two granddaughters, Zeta of Jacksonville, Florida, Jadra of Paducah, Kentucky; a stepson, Jason Moore of Bay City, Michigan; one nephew, Jason Phelps of Metropolis; numerous cousins; and two beloved and very spoiled pets, Bailey and Annie Minnie.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Minnie Phelps; and by two brothers, Danny and Steve Phelps.

Services for Gerald will be held on Nov. 1, 2025, at Atkins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus in Metropolis, Illinois, with visitation starting noon followed by 1 p.m. celebration of life conducted by Joel Jackson. Military honors will be held at the Masonic Cemetery immediately following the service.

The family is requesting no flowers but for those wishing to make a contribution in Gerald's memory may do so at The McCracken County Humane Society, 4000 Coleman Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42001, or to Dr. David Jeremiah at Turning Point Television Ministries, PO Box 3838, San Diego, CA 92163.

Pallbearers will be Kerry Fulcher, Keith Mick, Jason Moore, Jason Phelps, Chris Thompson, and Jerry Wilkes. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.