Thomas D. Phelps, Jr., 79, of 3922 Lexington Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, September 8, 2004, at St. Luke’s Hospital following a long illness of Progressive Super Nuclear Palsy, a form of Parkinson’s disease. Services: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2004, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids by Rev. Rollin Oswald. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m, Friday, September 10, 2004, at the funeral home. Entombment: Linwood Mausoleum, Cedar Rapids, with military honors by VFW and Cedar Rapids Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife Jean; a daughter, Sandra Claflin and husband John of Lexington, Kentucky; two sons, Thomas Phelps and wife Sheryl and Dan Phelps and wife Donna, both of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren, Carey Claflin and Landon Phelps; and a brother, Walter Phelps and wife Margaret of Waverly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Mary Phelps.

Thomas was born November 2, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Thomas Sr. and Mary (Baird) Phelps. Immediately following graduation from Roosevelt High School, he went into the U.S. Navy and served three years during World War II. On October 24, 1945, he married Jean L. Tremain in Cedar Rapids. He worked for the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and retired as District Chief in 1987. Thomas was a member of St. James United Methodist Church and the Iowa Firemen’s Association. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and loved to have fun. Thomas was an avid biker and participated in RAGBRAI and in the Senior Olympics in Syracuse, New York. He also loved the Chicago Cubs and his dogs. He enjoyed camping and traveling to Texas in the winters and trips to Maui, Hawaii.

A memorial fund has been established.