Richard Shibe Phelps
December 30, 1934 ~ July 22, 2023
Born in:
Alton, Illinois
Resided in:
College Station, Texas
Richard Shibe Phelps (Dick), 88 passed away in his home surrounded by his family on July 22, 2023. He was born on December 30, 1934 in Alton, Illinois to Hubert Beck Phelps and Mary Elanor Shibe. In November 1957, Richard married Rosellen Schaffner and later had three children, Greg, Diane and Susan. Richard began his sales career by selling magazines and dictating equipment. In 1964, Richard started his career with Monroe Calculators (a division of Litton Industries). As he was promoted over the years, the family moved to Texas settling in Bryan. During his 15-year career he won several Sales Award Trips, which took the family on fabulous vacations. In 1979, Richard resigned from Monroe and purchased Phelps Office Center in Bryan, Texas. While living in Bryan, Richard became active in the Masonic Lodge as a Knights Templar. He was also an active member in the Lions Club receiving an honor for 15 years of service. While in the Lions Club, he founded the JazzFest fundraiser that they hosted for several years. Richard was the founding father of the Brazos Valley Jazz Society and the Brazos Valley Big Band. He studied jazz later in life and attended band camp for several years at University of Louisville, Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. It was his lifelong dream to introduce a new generation to Jazz and to share his love for this style of music. Another passion of his was running. Richard was a competitive runner in high school and college and loved running with a group he just called “The Running Group”. Richard also stayed in touch with his high school friends and this group met every summer in Biloxi, Mississippi for a week of golf. In the summer of 2001, Richard married Sherrell Harrison. They shared many happy years together in College Station.
Richard was preceded in death by his first wife Rosellen (Roe) Diane Schaffner Phelps; mother Mary Elanor Shibe and father Hubert Beck Phelps. Richard is survived by his wife, Sherrell Harrison Phelps and family; son Greg Phelps and fiancé Lisa Bowden and grandchildren Mya Phelps and Zoe and (Brandon) Stendara; daughter Diane Phelps Signer and (Tim) Signer and grandchild Anthony Signer and (Jenny) Signer and great grandchildren, Kipten and Audrey Signer; grandchild Kathryn Signer Bowers and (Josh) Bowers and great grandchildren Jaiden, Zoe, Jaxson and John Bowers; daughter Susan Phelps Hauck and (Bill Hauck deceased) and granddaughter Ruthann Hauck Hamilton and (Michael) Hamilton and great granddaughter Ila Hauck; Daughters Jennifer Buster, Erin Sievers and Family; Son Mace Harrison and family; Sister Barbara Graves and many loving nieces’ and nephews. Richard loved his family and friends and his special interest groups. Many of Richard’s friends became part of his family over the years.
The family would like to thank Brazos Valley Hospice for their care and support.
A graveside service will be held July 26, 2023 at 9:00 am at the College Station Cemetery 2530 Texas Ave S, College Station followed by a reception at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home 3001 S. College Ave. Bryan, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Brazos Valley Hospice at www..hospice brazos valley.org/donate.
Services
Graveside Service: July 26, 2023 9:00 am
College Station City Cemetery
2530 Texas Ave S
College Station, TX 77840
979-764-5049
Reception: July 26, 2023 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Callaway-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Center
3001 S College Ave
Bryan, TX 77801
979-822-3717
https://callawayjones.com
Richard was a great man. I enjoyed listening to his interesting stories and admired his passion for American Music-Jazz. He will be missed. Until we meet again Lion Phelps – Rest in Peace my brother.
Cardick (Dick) was a fabulous person. Thank you for the time we shared with the Running Group in the mornings, the laughs, the tricks, the help, and the friendship. Your friend, Kay Edwards-Dambach (Butch)
Thanks to all that were able to attend in the celebration of life for Richard Shibe Phelps. Thanks to Don Pope for his beautiful words and music. I wanted to post what I read. Here it is.
Dad, Richard, Dick, Husband, Brother, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Uncle, Cousin, Friend
No matter how you know him, he will hold a special place in your heart. Brother to one, Father to six, Grandfather to 11 and Great Grandfather to six. And his special friend groups that held a special place in his heart.
Dad loved to share his memories and over the years he has collected one for every subject and occasion. You know you’re in for a good one when it starts “ I never will forget…” In all cases, Dad is the victor or the hero. Always there to save the day.
We are blessed in life to have a great Family. We are more blessed, when special friends become family. These people know who they are. David and Erlia Hendrawiraea were always there for Christmas and Birthdays. Richard or Grandpa was invited to spend some time at their home in Indonesia. They shared a very special bond. And very special memories for all.
“I never will forget that time at Band Camp…” We got a kick out of the fact that Grandpa was going to Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshop at University of Louisville, Kentucky while his Grandkids Anthony and Kathryn were going to summer Band in 8th grade. The Best thing about Band Camp was his roommate Charles Bowen. After the first year they bonded over their love of Jazz and became lifelong friends. They roomed together at 11 other Band Camps.
I never will forget that time we went White Wing hunting in Mexico. Those hunting stories were the best. And there were many more stories about his dogs. When he moved to Texas he started bird hunting and he loved hunting with his Bird Dogs: Duke, Ginger, Molly, Maggie, Bonita and Buck. Max was a descendent of one of those dogs and was his faithful companion until the end. As far as we know Max was part Gerrman Shepard. Max never hunted but was a great security and guard dog and loved to chase the deer. / Dad considered himself a Texan. He wasn’t born in Texas but he got here as soon as he could. Always wearing cowboy boots and on occasion a hat.
I never will forget playing Golf with the golf group. Friends from High School. They always had a great time. When they started meeting for their annual golf week, they were a group of 12. Even after they discontinued the annual golf week, their friendship has endured. There are still stories that we have not heard yet. A great group of guys that had a lot of fun and fellowship on a golf course.
I never will forget the running group. I remember eating breakfast downtown with the group on the weekends after a run. We didn’t run we just went to eat. Over the years Dad accumulated several Tshirts. I remember stealing Dad’s Running t-shirts especially the blue bell one with the purple cow. Again, these friendships went way beyond the subject of running.
And of course, the friends that shared his love of music. It didn’t matter what instrument, if you wanted to come and try improvisation, there was a free lesson for you. Growing up, Dad was always wanting us to play music together. As a teenager, this was not fun, but the great grandkids are always up for a session with Grandpa. I have to admit that all his practice and Band camps did payoff and he did improve.
Our Dad was also double blessed with two beautiful marriages over the years. His favorite thing to do was to spend time with family or cook for them. He lived a blessed life and loved and was loved by so many. When he found out he had cancer, he decided quickly that he had had a good life and that he choose not to put up a fight. He just wanted to go home with Max his dog and watch the deer. He passed in his sleep surrounded by his family. Dad you have been a devoted and loving Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Greatgrandfather, Uncle, Cousin or Friend and // WE never will forget YOU.
Mr. Phelps will always have a special place in my heart. He lived life fully and with a smile. Working at POC was fun and where I met my husband (now of 31 years!). Our condolences to Sherrell and all the family. Rick and I are thinking of you.
We are so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. We met Richard at Mr G’s Pizzeria one Friday night while he played his Jazz set. My (then 4 year old) heard him play one night and insisted we go every Friday night to support Richard and eat good pizza! Richard was so sweet and always waved to the girls as he played his set. He will be missed.