Donald Monroe Phelps, 91 of Friona formerly of Muleshoe passed away May 23, 2024 in Friona. Viewing will 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 set for 2:00PM Wednesday May 29, 2024 in the Bailey County Cemetery near Muleshoe with Jeff Procter, officiating. Burial with military honors following 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