Donald DeWayne Phelps, Jr. was born on December 24, 1946 to Donald DeWayne Phelps, Sr. and Mary Ethelene (Deason) Phelps, in Tulsa, Oklahoma He departed this life, and entered Heaven on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, at the age of 76 years, 11 months, and 15 days.

During his childhood, Donald played baseball. He also began playing the piano and the accordion as a child. He was playing the string (upright) bass and cello in junior high. By his senior year, he played the bass in the Tulsa Philharmonic, as well as after he graduated from high school. He loved playing the piano at any opportunity that he had, especially at church. As an adult, he especially enjoyed playing Floyd Cramer music.

Donald graduated from Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa, in 1965. He took some college credits in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In his senior years, he loved to collect the various state quarters, and he had an impressive DVD movie collection.

Growing up, Donald attended Lawnwood Freewill Baptist, and Airport Freewill Baptist churches during his childhood and youth. He did make a profession of faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. During his adulthood, he enjoyed playing the old hymns and anything else he could, always giving his best for the Lord. In his later years, he played the piano and was a deacon at Cornerstone Baptist church. Later, he attended a small Baptist church in Terlton, not far from his home.

Donald married Patricia Bingham in June 1965. To this union, four daughters were born. He joined the Marines in 1967 and re-enlisted in 1970. During his military career, he, Pat, and family lived in San Diego, CA; Jacksonville, NC; Norfolk, VA; Vieques, Puerto Rico; Okinawa, Japan; and Denver, CO. Once he was out of the military, they lived in Atlanta, GA, and Inola, OK.

During the mid-late 70's, Donald lived in the Oklahoma City area. In September 1979, he married EuVon Parks. To this union, one son was born. He, EuVon, and Devon, lived in Huntington Beach, CA; Wichita, KS; then settled in Broken Arrow, OK.

In 2010, Donald lived in Broken Arrow, then in Tulsa, OK, and resided there until 2012, when he married Paula, and they moved to Terlton, OK. After her passing, on December 26, 2022, he moved to the Claremore Veterans' Home, in June 2023.

In the six years that Donald was a Marine, he received two Good Conduct medals and one National Defense Service medal. His assignments out of the United States were Vieques, Puerto Rico, and Okinawa, Japan. After the military, Donald worked at various jobs: Tulsa Post Office, air freight companies in Tulsa, and at Oklahoma Fixture Company, from which he retired.

He is preceded in death by his wife Paula Phelps, his parents, both sets of his grandparents: Carl and Madge Phelps and Cecil and Lois Deason; and his ex-wife of 32 ½ years EuVon Phelps.

He is survived by his four daughters - Dawn Harrell (Bryan) of Catoosa, Peggy Ryan of Collinsville, Cheryl Leach of Owasso, and Wendy Maxey of Collinsville; his only son - Devon Phelps of Athelstone, South Australia; one sister - Kelly Jensen of Bolivar, Missouri, brothers - David Phelps of Broken Arrow, and Randy Phelps of Oologah; 15 grandchildren - Earl (Frank) Bowman III, Christopher Bowman, Britt (Michael) Bowman, Brittney Ringquist, George Ryan Jr, Kami Ryan, Melissa Von Aschen, Nathan Von Aschen, Bradley Von Aschen, Anthony Von Aschen, Morgan Leach, Michael Peters, Marissa Holcomb, Derrek Maxey, and Wyatt Maxey; sisters-in-law - Susie Phelps and Beverly Phelps; brother-in-law - Rodney Jensen; ex-wife - Patricia Lawrence; over 20 great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends…all who will miss him.

Memorial services will be 11:30, Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Airport Freewill Baptist Church, 1190 N Mingo, Tulsa, OK 74116. Service will be under the direction of Rev. Daniel Phillips.