Byron Forbes Phelps

Born: 5/5/1922, Los Angeles, CA
Death: 1/10/2012, Grand Juction, CO
Service: 01/17/2012, 11:00 am, Moab Baptist Church
Interment: 01/17/2012, 12:30 pm, Sunset Memorial Gardens

Byron Forbes Phelps, Jr.

Byron “Barney” Phelps was born on May 5, 1922, the only son of Byron and Leah Phelps, of North Hollywood, California. He had one sister, Lauralea, who preceded him in death. A 30 year resident of Moab, Byron died of natural causes in Grand Junction, Colorado, on January 10, 2012.

He served his country as a P-38 pilot in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, flying missions over occupied territory before, during and after D Day. He was later recalled and served at Kunsan Air Base during the Korean Conflict. In 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Ann Bright, and together they enjoyed 65 years of marriage before Jean’s passing in November, 2010. They had 3 sons, 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

After retiring from Pacific Telephone where he worked as a Senior Engineer, Barney moved with his bride to Moab. Over the next three decades they traveled thousands of miles on Utah’s Jeep trails and greatly enjoyed their many friends and Jeeping partners nearby and from as far away as California, Texas and the East Coast. The family thanks the many residents of Moab who helped make Barney’s years here so enjoyable.They especially appreciated the Red Rock 4-Wheelers for serving as pall-bearers, which they considered a great honor shown to their dear father and grandfather.

He is survived by a son, Byron F. Phelps III, of Boulder City, Nevada, and a son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Debra Phelps, of Palmer, Alaska. A third son, Bruce S. Phelps, of Clifton, Colorado, preceded his father in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 17, at Moab Baptist Church, 356 W. Kane Creek Blvd. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, Grand Junction, CO; Hospice of Grand County, Moab, UT or Providence Reformed Evangelical Church of Grand Junction, CO.

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