Don Rodney Phelps

Don Rodney Phelps of Independence, MO passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. He was born in Milwaukee, WI to Raymond and Helen Phelps on August 10, 1932. He and Agnes Lipovac were married on September 17, 1960 and lived in Great Bend, KS before moving to Independence, MO in 1970.
Don is survived by his wife Agnes and two children, Laura Krzyzanowski (William) and Donna Coldren (Jeffrey) along with a sister Bonnie Maupin and five grandsons, Kolbe (Alia) and Jamisen Krzyzanowski, Ian and Ryan Coldren and Julien Bernstein. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Bernstein and brother Glenn "Rick" Phelps.
Don had a keen interest in biology and herpetology as a teen and worked in the labs at Washburn University in Topeka, KS, collecting specimens for the school before attending. Don was a member of the Marine Corps and worked for 20 years in the telephone industry where he spent time as president of the Independent Telephone Pioneers Association. He was recognized for his work as a committee member on the Board of Public Utilities for the City Council of Independence. Dons work career also included owning several contemporary furniture stores in the 1970s.
A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church in KCK, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Independence.
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