Charles William Phelps

Charles Phelps, 86, of Bryan passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024.  Charles was born on September 12, 1937 in Jewett, Texas to David and Lena Mae (Pond) Phelps.  He married Jo Bettye (Singleton), his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, on January 21, 1956.  They were married for 57 years until her death in 2013.  

Charles graduated from Jewett High School where he developed a love for sports. He loved to talk about the days when students played all sports and looked forward to each season. He excelled in football and would eventually make the team at Baylor University as a walk-on. He was a sports fanatic and could quote history and stats with the best of them. 

After marrying Jo Bettye in 1956, they moved to Dallas where he worked for Dr Pepper Bottling Company.  He would transfer to Bryan, Texas that same year to continue his career with Dr. Pepper.  In 1960, Charles applied to the city of Bryan for a position as a patrol officer. He was passionate about law enforcement. It was not just a job, but a lifestyle. Starting as a a patrol officer in 1960, he progressed through the ranks.  He especially loved his time as a detective and loved sharing stories of those days. After seven promotions within the Bryan Police Department, Charles was named Chief of Police in 1980. As Chief, he earned numerous honors and awards while with the department. He was appointed by then Governor Mark White to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He was President of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and President of the Texas Police Association. Charles’ dedication to law enforcement and his community shone throughout his life. He was an honorable officer on and off the job. Charles retired from the Police Department in 1993, but continued to support his community and the police department for the rest of his life. 

Along with the numerous accolades he achieved in law enforcement, he was a graduate of Blinn College, Baylor University, and the FBI National Academy. 

Charles was a long standing member of Central Baptist Church. He was the son of a Baptist preacher and a proud Christian. His joy in his relationship with God and community were prevalent throughout his entire life. He truly walked the walk and led by example. 

Charles was a family man above all. He took great pride in all things family, and genuinely treasured time spent with them. He was an avid fisherman and would jump at the opportunity to get his family on a fishing trip…..any fishing trip. Charles and his sons shared a deep love for offshore fishing, but any type of fishing would do. Pond hopping at the farm, sitting on a crappie hole on Lake Limestone, or just throwing a line off the dock with the grandkids.

Charles was never intimidated to speak to a total stranger, and had a gift of making them feel as if he had known them forever. Many of these friends became part of the family. He never turned down the opportunity to make a new friend. He never turned down the opportunity to love. He never turned down an opportunity to be with his family.  Charles, Pops, Chief, will be dearly missed by all who knew him… but especially by his family. 

Charles was pre-deceased by his wife, Jo Bettye, and his parents.  He is survived by his four children, Belinda and husband Randy Howard of Bryan, William (Bubba) and wife Carol of Jewett, Kenneth and wife Patty of McKinney and Bryan and wife Missy of Bryan. Charles (Pops) had 7 grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Larry Phelps and wife Carrie, Luke Howard and wife Megen, Christian and husband Ben Motz, Natalie Silva, Nicholas Phelps and wife Catherine, Brady Phelps and wife Chloe and Bailey Phelps.  He was also blessed with 8 great grandchildren and two on the way.

Charles Phelps, 86, of Bryan passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024. Charles was born on September 12, 1937 in Jewett, Texas to David and Lena Mae (Pond) Phelps. He married Jo Bettye (Singleton), his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, on January 21, 1956. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2013.

Charles graduated from Jewett High School where he developed a love for sports. He loved to talk about the days when students played all sports and looked forward to each season. He excelled in football and would eventually make the team at Baylor University as a walk-on. He was a sports fanatic and could quote history and stats with the best of them.

After marrying Jo Bettye in 1956, they moved to Dallas where he worked for Dr Pepper Bottling Company. He would transfer to Bryan, Texas that same year to continue his career with Dr. Pepper. In 1960, Charles applied to the city of Bryan for a position as a patrol officer. He was passionate about law enforcement. It was not just a job, but a lifestyle. Starting as a a patrol officer in 1960, he progressed through the ranks. He especially loved his time as a detective and loved sharing stories of those days. After seven promotions within the Bryan Police Department, Charles was named Chief of Police in 1980. As Chief, he earned numerous honors and awards while with the department. He was appointed by then Governor Mark White to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He was President of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and President of the Texas Police Association. Charles’ dedication to law enforcement and his community shone throughout his life. He was an honorable officer on and off the job. Charles retired from the Police Department in 1993, but continued to support his community and the police department for the rest of his life.

Along with the numerous accolades he achieved in law enforcement, he was a graduate of Blinn College, Baylor University, and the FBI National Academy.

Charles was a long standing member of Central Baptist Church. He was the son of a Baptist preacher and a proud Christian. His joy in his relationship with God and community were prevalent throughout his entire life. He truly walked the walk and led by example.

Charles was a family man above all. He took great pride in all things family, and genuinely treasured time spent with them. He was an avid fisherman and would jump at the opportunity to get his family on a fishing trip…..any fishing trip. Charles and his sons shared a deep love for offshore fishing, but any type of fishing would do. Pond hopping at the farm, sitting on a crappie hole on Lake Limestone, or just throwing a line off the dock with the grandkids.

Charles was never intimidated to speak to a total stranger, and had a gift of making them feel as if he had known them forever. Many of these friends became part of the family. He never turned down the opportunity to make a new friend. He never turned down the opportunity to love. He never turned down an opportunity to be with his family. Charles, Pops, Chief, will be dearly missed by all who knew him… but especially by his family.

Charles was pre-deceased by his wife, Jo Bettye, and his parents. He is survived by his four children, Belinda and husband Randy Howard of Bryan, William (Bubba) and wife Carol of Jewett, Kenneth and wife Patty of McKinney and Bryan and wife Missy of Bryan. Charles (Pops) had 7 grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Larry Phelps and wife Carrie, Luke Howard and wife Megen, Christian and husband Ben Motz, Natalie Silva, Nicholas Phelps and wife Catherine, Brady Phelps and wife Chloe and Bailey Phelps. He was also blessed with 8 great grandchildren and two on the way. Additionally he is survived by his brothers, Don Phelps and wife Joan of Linden, Texas and Gene Phelps and his wife Mary Ella of Culleoka, Tennessee.

Memorials preferred to: Central Church or American Childhood Cancer Organization acco.org.

Visitation 5:30-7:30 pm Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, Bryan. Memorial service 11:00 am Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Central Church, Bryan. Interment will be in Bryan City Cemetery.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com