Thomas A. Phelps Sr.

Thomas (Tom) Arthur Phelps passed away February 18, 2025, at Henry Ford Providence Hospital in Novi, Michigan. He was born on January 15, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan. He married Adelaide Poniatowski on April 15, 1961, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage until his passing.
Tom grew up in Commerce, Michigan, graduating from Walled Lake High School in 1959, where he excelled at football and track & field. He worked at Detroit Edison for 41 years in various roles, starting as a meter reader, moving on to a linesman, and finishing in planning when he retired in 2001. He enjoyed the game of golf and appreciated the camaraderie found on the course. He wrote poetry, liked puzzles and board games, and was usually up for a game of Scrabble.
Tom loved his family and friends and often helped them with everything from finishing basements and electrical repairs to tree removal and landscaping. Perhaps one of his most lasting impressions, however, was that he was the "nicest man I ever met" to countless people he came across during his life. He inspired those around him to better themselves.
Tom is survived by his wife, Adelaide; his siblings, William (Sybil) Phelps, Mary (George) Emanoil, Kathleen Phelps, Barbara Phelps; his five children, Angela (Bryan) Grogan, Tom (Maureen) Phelps, Andrew (Danielle) Phelps, Josh (Stephany Parker) Phelps, Meghan Phelps; his seventeen grandchildren, Lucy Grogan, Lindsey (Nick) Leonowicz, Maggie Phelps, Joey Phelps, Alex Phelps, Hailey (Craig) Bilderback, Melanie (Keith) McArthur, Connor Phelps, Abbie Phelps, Lillie Phelps, Ben Phelps, Mollie Phelps, Melissa Phelps, Ethan Phelps, Joshua Parker-Phelps, Adelaide Phelps, Gwendolyn Lamphear; and his four great-grandchildren, Emerson Leonowicz, Charley Leonowicz, Sadie Leonowicz, and Bodie Leonowicz.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Frank and Alice (Dunn) Phelps; sister, Dorothy Phelps; and brothers, James Phelps and Frank Phelps.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Tom touched are invited to Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors-Milford, 404 E. Liberty Street, Milford, Michigan 48381 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025, to reminisce, grieve, and support each other.
Following visitation at the funeral home, all are invited to join with Tom's family for a luncheon at Dunham Hills Golf Club, 13561 Dunham Road, Hartland, MI 48353.
For further information, please contact Lynch & Sons at 248-684-6645.