Bernard Phelps

Bernard Phelps, 86, of Waco and long time resident of Muleshoe, Texas, died Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at his residence.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2009 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Jeff Fisher officiating. Graveside services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Muleshoe Memorial Park in Muleshoe, Texas with the Rev. Monty Leavell officiating.

Mr. Phelps was born September 11, 1922 in Stanford, Texas to Chesley Edward and Birdie Lee Phelps. After graduating from Haskell High School in 1940, Mr. Phelps served as an Army Air Corp bomber machine gunner in WWII.

He married Arline Birdwell on October 26, 1946 in Lubbock. The couple made their home in Haskell, Texas until moving to Muleshoe in 1950. The Phelps' raised all three of their children in Muleshoe where Bernard was a well known farmer and rancher. He was a progressive farmer and among the first farmers to adopt modern irrigation technology in the Texas High Plains. Mr. Phelps was an organizing member of the Blackwater Agriculture Co-op, the Muleshoe Country Club, and served on the Board of Directors of the Muleshoe Co-op Gin.

Mr. Phelps was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many years of hunting, fishing and golf with his many friends. As a golfer, Mr. Phelps, on more than one occasion, achieved the elusive "hole in one" at the Muleshoe Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother who was a WWII veteran; a sister; a grand-daughter; and his wife of 58 years, Arline.

Mr. Phelps is survived by his daughters, Ann Campbell and husband, Jay and Becca Srygley all of Waco; son, Matt Phelps and wife, Carol of Austin; three grandsons, Peter Campbell of Waco, Tyler Srygley of Dallas and Ches Phelps of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Catherine Campbell of Waco and Christina Phelps of Amarillo.

The family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude to IV Garrett, Esther Ervin, Carolyn Wilson, Omega Banks, Josie Ellis, Willie and Anthony for their dedication and loving care for Mr. Phelps. The family also would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Providence Hospice for their care of Mr. Phelps.

The family requests memorials to be directed to Parkview Nursing Home, 1100 W. Ave J., Muleshoe, Texas 79347, First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 505, Muleshoe, Texas 79347 or to the charity of your choice.