Richard Shibe Phelps

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.