Obituary of Larry Alton Phelps

Larry passed away June 28, 2013 at Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia, Washington. He was born May 27, 1938 in Donaldson, Arkansas to Lucian Cornell Boyd Phelps and Carrie Anise (Voss) Phelps. Larry graduated in 1957 from Ouchita High School in Okalona, Arkansas. During his youth, Larry grew up in the areas around Arkadelphia, Arkansas and Spring Hill, Louisiana. Larry and Marie C. (Wisniewski) were married on June 22, 1968 at St. Hyacinth Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Larry, his wife and family have lived in Lacey since 1974. They had previously lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1968-1974. Larry served in the US Army from 1957 to 1967, achieving the rank of sergeant. He was stationed in Europe and was involved in the Berlin Crisis. He also assisted in the evacuation and reception of refugees from Algeria. He served two tours of duty in the Central Highlands during the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, he worked with and trained Degar (also known as Montagnard) troops working alongside the US Forces. Larry worked as a Housing Maintenance Engineer with the 62nd Engineers for the Department of Defense at both Fort Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base for 27 years from 1974 to 2001. After retiring, he worked briefly at Western State Mental Hospital, Camp Murray, Pierce County Parks and the Point Defiance Zoo, and the Timberland Regional Libraries. He enjoyed his grandchildren, family, watching people, and gardening. It was said he never met a stranger. He enjoyed meeting and talking with people about different areas of the country and gardening. He also felt that his greatest blessing was family. He is survived by his two aunts, Sutah Adams (Voss) of Camden, Arkansas and Bertha Rogers (Voss) of Holbrook, Arizona; his wife, Marie C. Phelps (Wisniewski) of Lacey; his son, Joshua J. Phelps and his daughter-in-law, Dana M. Phelps of Lacey; and his two daughters, Mary E. Fredericks (Phelps) and his son-in-law Jense C. Fredericks of Olympia, WA and Christina M. Antonio (Phelps) and his son-in-law Michael J. Antonio of Seattle, WA; and his four grandchildren, Maura Phelps, Isabella Antonio, Victoria Antonio and Stephen Antonio. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lucian Cornell Boyd Phelps and Carrie Anise Phelps (Voss), and his two brothers, Billie Gene Phelps and Jack Parker Phelps. A visitation will be held at Funeral Alternatives of Washington, 2830 Willamette Drive NE, Lacey, on Wednesday July 3, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Burial will be held Friday, July 5, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Please leave memories of Larry or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.