Edward F. Phelps Jr.

PHELPS, JR., EDWARD F., Served Seven Presidents Edward F. Phelps, Jr., recently of Thomasville, GA, passed away today friday, January 18, 2007 at his residence after a brief illness. Mr. Phelps retired from Federal Government service some 24 years ago after working in the Executive Offices of seven Presidents of the United States beginning with the administration of Franklin Roosevelt. Mr. Phelps maintained the highest intelligence clearances available to this nation as Director of the Offices of Price Administration, Price Stabilization, and Defense Mobilization. His final 13 years in Washington, D.C., were as Controller of the FDIC. Mr. Phelps was honored in Washington as a nominee for the President's Distinguished Service Award, and was a contributor to articles, journals, and papers with and for the Federal Government regarding protection of human lives, food supplies, economic subsidies, and monetary stability in the United States in the event of war on our soil, or in the event of atomic attack. He was written about and interviewed by such magazine's as Fortune and Business Week, and newspapers including the New York Times and The Washington Post. He was a noble and proud member of that cadre' who serve our Country in both war and peace at the highest levels of a free and democratic government- often in perilous times. He had no political party affiliation. The papers he leaves are vast and prolific and trace the history of this Country through three wars and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mr. Phelps was born in East Hartford, CT on August 7,1912, and grew up in West Hartford where he resided with his parents the late Elsie Cooper Phelps and Edward Francis Phelps, Sr., he was pre-deceased by his brother, Richard (Susan), of Martha's Vineyard, MA., and leaves a younger brother, Howard C. Phelps, of Elloree, SC. Mr. Phelps graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford with numerous academic and athletic awards, and attended the University of Alabama where he combined an athletic and academic program before entering the wholesale grocery industry in Hartford, CT at the E.S. Kibbee Company, from there becoming Secretary of the Wholesale Grocers Association of the United States in Manhattan, NY, and later Executive Vice President of the wholesale grocery firm, Whaples-Platter in Ft. Worth/Dallas TX. He was then called to Washington toward the end of the Second World War where he remained in Executive Offices of the President (s) for much of his respected career before being asked to take Controller position at the FDIC in Washington D.C. He lived in Leesburg, VA. Mr. Phelps was married to the late Margaret Heley Phelps of West Hartford, CT, and Lighthouse Point, FL. He leaves two daughters who both announce and share the passing of their father and the joy he brought to their lives, Joanne Phelps Smith, of Deerfield Beach, FL (the late Ronald I. Smith), formerly of West Hartford, CT, and Dr. Judith Phelps LaVorgna, (the late L. Paul LaVorgna, HI), formerly of West Hartford, CT, Deerfield Beach, FL, and now, Thomasville, GA., with whom he made his last home. He was a proud grandfather of nine grandchildren, Thomas, Christea, Timothy, Tracy, Michael, Joanne, and Christopher Byrne, James, and Andrew Smith and their spouses, as well as eighteen great grandchildren, four nephews and seven nieces. Mr. Phelps also leaves good friends and associates throughout the United States including frequent visitors from his Washington years, Mr. and Mrs. Lee (Dolly) Rhodes of Moncks Corner, SC. In his retirement, Mr. Phelps often served as a speaker and consultant, he was also a planner and founding member of Sweetwater Country Club outside of Orlando, FL., He lived most of his long and active retirement in Altamonte Springs, FL., where he is remembered for his grace, enduring friendships, humor, golf handicap, and intellect. At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service for Mr. Phelps. A private remembrance will be held by his daughters at a later date. Donations in his name may be made to Hospice, Gordon Avenue, Thomasville, GA, 31792, or the Jane Goodall Institute, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA. 22203.