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John Phelps Obituary
John Howard Phelps was born on the 17TH of January 1936 in the country, outside of Kosse, Texas to Quint E. Phelps and Nona Truett Phelps. He passed peacefully from this life at his home on Saturday, May 27, 2017.
John grew up in Kosse, the son of a peanut farmer. He graduated from Kosse High School and continued his education at Sam Houston University. During that time he married his high school sweetheart Wynell Williams. John graduated from Sam Houston with a degree in agriculture and then entered the US Navy. After serving his country, John came home to his family and taught school in Channelview and Pasadena.
John joined State Farm Insurance as an agent in 1962 and opened his office in the one car garage of his Pasadena home. He built that agency into one of the largest State Farm agencies in the United States. John often said he could not have made it without Wynell.
John served his community as a Pasadena City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem as well as President of Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, President of YMCA and Chairman of Southeast Economic Development Association. He was involved in many successful partnerships which included funeral homes, real estate and other ventures. He actively supported South Avenue Baptist Church where they were longtime members. He loved his community and reached out in service. That involvement in the community brought him many honors which included Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Pasadena's Hall of Fame, Optimist Citizen of the Year, The Paul Harris Rotary Award, Rotarian of the Year, Pasadena Business of the Year, Pasadena ISD Distinguished Citizen of the Year and Optimist Citizen of the Year. Harris County Commissioners honored him by naming a courthouse annex after him. He was a good neighbor and friend to all.
John is preceded in death by his parents, his son Douglas Ray Phelps, and his father and mother-in-law William Lester Williams and Juanita Gillihan Williams.
He is survived by Wynell Williams Phelps, his beloved wife of 63 years; son Steve Phelps and wife Jana; son Ken Phelps and wife Alicia; grandchildren Becky Phelps Carlisle and husband Chris, Johnny Phelps, Bethany Phelps and Q Phelps; great-grandchildren Easton Elliott, Will Phelps and Harper Carlisle. John is also survived by his brother Lyndon Phelps and wife Peggy, brothers-in-law Weldon Williams and wife Peggie, Eudean Williams, and Darrell Williams and wife Kitty; nieces, nephews, friends and his extended family his policyholders.
The funeral service was held Thursday, June 1st, at First Baptist Church Pasadena.
In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, contributions may be made either to Ebenezer Cemetery, P.O. Box 112, Kosse, Texas 76653, Pasadena Community Ministries, P.O. Box 4954, Pasadena, Texas 77502-4954 or the charity of your choosing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Phelps
Robert and Diedre Gilbert
July 10, 2017
Wynell, may God be with you and your family at this most sorrowful time. We are so sorry that we were unable to attend John's service. Our prayers are with you all. May you be comforted by family and friends, and the wonderful memories you and John shared for so many years.
Robert and Diedre Gilbert
June 19, 2017
John Phelps was so loved in Pasadena. Such a good friend to all he met. Rest in peace'
Dorothy Holcomb, widow of Billy Holcomb
Daryl Mitchell
June 14, 2017
My sincerest condolences to Wynell, Ken and the extended Phelps family. A true mentor who was always ready to help aspiring agents achieve success in both their business and personal lives.
Thelma Jean (Dirr) Paradysz
June 6, 2017
Sorry to hear of the passing of John he was a true friend even though I didn't have insurance with him any longer he always remembered who I was. God Bless
Roger Karjalahti
June 5, 2017
John was a great inspiration. He always had a kind word and a loving heart.
Elva Nell Johnson
June 5, 2017
Thinking of you all with love and sympathy! Harold and I loved John---sweet memories!
Damon and Betty Gresham
June 4, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all , wonderful family and great friend .
Clyde Doyal
June 3, 2017
Condolences to Wynell and family in the passing of my good friend John.
Lynn Hall
June 2, 2017
By any measure, John was a success. I believe the respect afforded to John was gained by just being John. You will be missed by all who knew you.
Stephen and Kathy Driscoll
June 1, 2017
So sorry to hear of John's passing. I became acquainted with John shortly after he established his agency on Strawberry through my barber and his friend Murphy J. He was the go to man for insurance when my wife Kathy was a real estate agent and broker. A nicer gentleman you can not find, RIP. Our prayers and sympathy for his family and friends.
Kathy, Dennis, Ross & Adam Winkler
June 1, 2017
We are blessed to have called Mr. Phelps a friend. He was the most kind and caring gentleman. While we mourn his passing, we are strengthened by his legacy and know that we became better people because of our good fortune to walk by his side. We lift him and his wonderful & loving family up in prayer.
Kathy, Dennis, Ross & Adam Winkler
Betty & Tom Culpepper-Douglas
June 1, 2017
I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Phelps passing, He and Mrs. Phelps were friends of my parents and family. They are upstanding people in town, We appreciated everything your family did for ours when needed. Prayers
Vicki Maupin Schmidt
June 1, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. Ken you were so sweet and supportive last year when my parents died. My God be with you and your family.
Charles Culpepper
May 31, 2017
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr.Phelps. he was a really good man.
May 31, 2017
John was a good friend. I will cherish his memories and offer the family my condolences.
I am ill and cannot attend the services but I will remember him always.
Joe R. Reyna & family
May 31, 2017
Thoughts and Prayers for the Family,We will miss you...From the Wilson's
May 31, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Phelps passing. Your family will be in
my prayers. I was in one of Mr. Phelps' first classes, when he first started teaching in Channelview. We all admired him and enjoyed being in his class. I was priviledged to meet up with him, once more, at the dedication of the courthouse annex named after him. I was flattered when h said that he did remember me! It had been so many years. I have thought of him over the years with fond memories. I am sure his other students feel the same way. Heaven has gained someone so very special.
Ruby Loftin Bettis
May 31, 2017
Condolences to the entire Phelps Family! When I was a little girl growing up in Pasadena, I remember going to that little house to pay our insurance bill. My Daddy always thought he needed to pay his bills in person. Daddy also liked seeing and visiting with Mr Phelps. Mr. Phelps was always smiling and I remember he always acknowledged the freckled face, curly haired little girl who came bouncing in knowing he was gonna give me a piece of candy, or pen, pencil, some goodie he had in his desk!
The Phelps Family has been so wonderful to the City of Pasdena!
Later in Life...Johnny Phelps ( his namesake grandson) has been a good friend of my best friends son. "Johnny" has followed in his grandfather 's footsteps...always smiling and a great young man and father. Long line of LOVE in the Phelps Family.
Priveledge to have done buiseness with this family, even more priveledge to call them ...FRIENDS!
Ruby Loftin Bettis
Sharon Huddleston
May 31, 2017
Miss. Wynell, Steve and Ken, I am so sorry for your loss.
May 31, 2017
Wonderful man and dear friend since the early 1970's. When I read Psalm 15, he is one of the people I think of.
Love to all the family.
Myrtle Minter
May 31, 2017
To the Phelps family-may he rest in Piece-John would you please tell my wonderful Wife(Tommie)hello for me and thank you and the rest of the Phelps family for being good friends since 1965 when I started with State Farm.
God Bless
Jim Reed
Kim Culpepper Artall
May 31, 2017
John and Wynell were good friends with my grandparents, Belton and Dale Culpepper, while they all served at South Ave. Baptist Church. They continued to be friends and supported them through their illnesses and eventually their deaths. I know they are happy to welcome John into the pearly gates with them. John was an amazing man who touched everyone he knew. I pray the family has comfort during this sad time.
Always,
Doris Bridges
May 30, 2017
John has been a good friend since I started teaching with him at Southmore Junior High many, many years ago. He was always helpful with insurance questions too.
Marie Kalla
May 30, 2017
Mr Phelps Rest In Peace. This Earth of ours has lost an amazing loving, caring wonderful man. You will always have a special place in my heart. Till we meet again. ❤
Mike Bennett
May 30, 2017
Mrs.Phelps & Family: So sorry to hear about the loss of a truly GREAT man. He always greeted us like family every time we went into the office. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this time of sorrow.
Love & Prayers
Mike & Peggy Bennett
May 30, 2017
There's an old adage that, "When all is said and done, more is said than done." Mr. Phelps was that rare man who did more than he said. It was a pleasure to know him. It was a privilege to work with him.
With the greatest respect and heartfelt affection,
Sid and Linda Williams
Annette, Don and Family Wake
May 30, 2017
Thank you John for always being there for all of us. Rest in Peace our dear friend.
Warmly, The Wake Family
Buddy Koenig
May 30, 2017
We lost a great man, may we meet again.
edward dardis
May 30, 2017
God Bless the entire Phelps family at their time of mourning. John made the most out of life helping and mentoring anyone that crossed paths with him. I have nothing but the fondest of memories and the utmost respect for John Phelps.
God rest his soul.
Ed Dardis
Jim and Kay Kidd
May 30, 2017
Lyndon and Peggy, our condolences to you and the rest of the family for your loss. John's record of accomplishments is astounding. We have lost one of the "good ones".
Janet Buchanan Show
May 30, 2017
Ken & Steve, So very sorry to hear about Mr. Phelps' passing...what a wonderful, giving man that the community will miss immensely. I was a customer of his for years and have fond memories. You are in my thoughts & prayers...
Janet (Gantenbein) Show
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