The family of Donald E. Phelps celebrate his life and announce his joyous reunion with his Lord on July 9th , 2006. Don Phelps, a longtime resident of Waurika, Oklahoma passed away in Jefferson County Hospital of multiple myeloma. Don was born November 9, 1931, to Joseph Eugene Gene and Minnie Phelps in Waurika, Oklahoma. He married Myrtle I. Proctor February, 14, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas, where he was serving in the US Army at Fort Sam Houston.

Don was a respected leader in healthcare, holding hospital administrator positions at Watonga Municipal Hospital, Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa, University Heights Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Enid Memorial Hospital and Jefferson County Hospital in Waurika. He received the W. Cleveland Rodgers Distinguished Service award in 1991, the highest honor which can be given to an Oklahoma health care executive. He served as Chairman of the Board of trustees of the Oklahoma Hospital Association in 1985, and was a member of the OHA board of trustees executive committee from 1982-1986. He represented Oklahoma as an alternate delegate in the American Hospital Association’s House of Delegates from 1988-1990, and served as a member of the governing board for the American Hospital Association’s section for small and rural hospitals from 1986-1988. After his retirement from his executive position at Jefferson County Hospital, he continued to serve others in the health insurance field up until his illness in 2006.

Don served his Lord as deacon in First Baptist Church Watonga, Ranch Acres Baptist Church in Tulsa, University Heights Baptist Church in Albuquerque, Emanuel Baptist Church in Enid and First Baptist Church in Waurika. Don also served in civic leadership positions on the Waurika City Council and many other service organizations.

Survivors include: his wife, Myrtle of Waurika, OK; one daughter, Deanna Phelps and son-in-law Stephen Hager of Alton, IL; two sons - Cliff Phelps and daughter-in-law Johnelle of Albuquerque, NM, and Larry Phelps of Nowata, OK; one brother, Alton Phelps and his wife Peggy of Duncan, OK: a sister, Evelyn Knecht of Sweetwater, TX; six granchildren: Adam Davis and his wife Tamra, Emily Davis, Alexandra and Jordyn Phelps, Justin Phelps and Josh Salisbury; and three great-grandchildren.

His parents, Gene and Minnie Phelps precede Don’s arrival in glory.

A celebration service was held at 10:00 AM, July 11, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Waurika. Arrangements were under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County Hospital.