Richard "Dick" G. Phelps

Richard G. Phelps, age 92, of Maryville, passed away on Sunday, January 1st, in Maryville. His warm smile, ready wit, confident faith, and genuine concern for others will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. He was born to Marion and Arthur Phelps in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 18, 1924 and graduated from high school in Hoxsie, Rhode Island before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. 1st Lt. Phelps served in the southwest Pacific during World War II as Navigator of a B-24 heavy bomber in the "Snoopers" 868th Bomb Squadron of the 13th Air Force, completing 35 combat missions and receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for meritorious service. He also served in the Air Force Reserve for twelve years following active duty and was volunteer liaison at the Veterans Administration hospital in Northport, NY. Following his wartime service he attended the University of Rhode Island on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He married Thelma Allen in 1950 and to this union two sons were born, David Allen and Richard Arthur. Following Thelma's untimely death from cancer, Dick married Nora Warner in 1967, moving to Maryville in 1988 and enjoying a wide range of volunteer and community activities in retirement. He was active in member and leadership roles in the 13th Air Force Veterans Association, the greater Knoxville SCORE chapter, Maryville Rotary, the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, and First United Methodist Church, among others. He is preceded in death by his wife Nora, and his brothers Donald (Anna) and Edwin. He is survived by children David (Lynn), Richard (Sharon), Nancy, Douglas (Maria) and William (Linda); grandchildren Brian, Allen, Nathan, Caitlyn, Erika (Ken), Mark, Andrew (Angela), Sarah, Kaija, John, and Erik; and great-grandchildren Anabelle and Caleb. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Maryville, followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be at Carpenters Grade Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville TN 37803; the Disabled American Veterans National Service Foundation, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring KY 41076; or the National Museum of the United States Air Force Foundation, P.O. Box 1903, Dayton OH 45433.