Donald Monroe Phelps, 91 of Friona formerly of Muleshoe passed away May 23, 2024 in Friona. Viewing was be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with family visitation from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Celebration of Life Graveside Services at 2:00PM Wednesday May 29, 2024 in the Bailey County Cemetery near Muleshoe with Jeff Procter, officiating. Burial with military honors followed in the Bailey County Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Donald was born in Tillman County, Oklahoma on June 20, 1932, the son of Monroe G. Phelps and Lucile Goodknight Phelps. When Donald was 5 years old, the family moved North East of Manitou, Oklahoma. He started school in a one room country school about a mile from their home, Belmont School Dist. 65 and later attended Manitou schools where he graduated in May 1950.
After graduation he moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he worked in the potash mines for 2 years. Donald was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and reported to Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was transported from Lawton by bus to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training. He was permanently assigned to K-6 Air Force Base near Soul, Korea, where he was a clerk typist until he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1954.
Donald was married to Nancy Jo Beaty Cowan March 17, 1956, in Crosbyton, TX. The young couple and Nancy's daughter, Danielle, made their home in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Donald and Nancy had three sons, David Garth Phelps, Robert Monroe Phelps, and Donald Lansing Phelps. They lived near Bovina, Muleshoe and Friona, Texas. He worked in farming, tractor mechanic, and was a school bus driver. Donald was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Muleshoe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sons- David Garth, Robert Monroe and Donald Lansing, and by his son-in-law- James D. Smith.
Those to mourn his passing include his wife Nancy Jo Phelps of Friona, 1 daughter- Danielle Smith of Ft. Worth, Texas, 1 daughter-in-law- Susan Phelps, of Anthony, Kansas, 3 brothers- Kenneth Phelps of Largo, FL, Samuel Phelps of Frederick, OK, and Phil Phelps of Ft. Worth, TX., 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 1 great- great- grandson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members. He is also survived by a special couple, Rocky and Vivian Menning, of Muleshoe, Tx. and their family.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com
Church services for Beverley Hall, age 87, of Friona, Texas, were scheduled for 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Sixth Street Church of Christ in Friona with Jeff Procter of Friona.
Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park. Beverley died Thursday, May 23, 2024 in Friona. She was born July 6, 1936 in Bailyboro, Texas to Lonnie and Dana (Ragsdale) Arnold. She married Kenneth W. Hall in Needmore, Texas on May 29, 1954.
Beverley loved her yard and having beautiful plants. She enjoyed being outside and loved animals, especially her dachshund. Beverley was the dessert maker of the family and was always a spotless housekeeper. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents; three sisters, Helen Schmitz, June Arnold and Mary Moore; a brother, Neil Ray Arnold; and a grandson, David Stewart.
Beverley is survived by her son, Kevin Hall of Friona, Texas; her daughter, Karla Stewart and her husband, Trent of Bulverde, Texas; three grandchildren, Brady Stewart, Garrett Stewart and Brandy Green; and six great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be made at www.ellisfuneralhomes.com.
James McElreath was born on November 20, 1945 in Spearman to William and Ruby McElreath. He was raised in Spearman, graduating from Spearman High School in 1965. He then married Kay Frances Burger on June 17, 1967 and they raised 2 sons together, Doug and Heath. She preceded him in death on April 17, 2009. James worked as a truck driver for Roadway for close to 30 years. Throughout his career, he recorded over 3 million miles driven. On April 20, 2020, he married Carolyn McDonald. He was a kind, loving husband throughout their marriage.
In his free time, James enjoyed fishing with his trucking partner, Lee. He was a talented artist, sketching and doodling as often as he could. He was known to be a storyteller and a jokester and enjoyed watching old westerns. Above all, he loved his family and cherished being "Pepa" to his grandchildren.
James is survived by his wife, Carolyn McDonald-McElreath of Amarillo; 2 sons, Doug McElreath and wife Kim of Amarillo and Heath McElreath and wife Alryna of Friona; step-daughter, Lauri McDonald of Amarillo; step-son, Jerry McDonald and wife Becky of Amarillo; 3 sisters, Brenda, Linda and Kay; brother-in-law, Don Burger and wife "Bug" of DFW; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and his beloved dogs, Pixie, Maggie and Velvet.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kay Frances McElreath and his dog, Molly.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch: https://www.calfarley.org/