Claude Lonnie Phelps, Jr, known as “Lonnie” to most, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022, in his home. He was born April 13, 1939, to Claude Lonnie and Leora Katy (Oakes, Hardy) Phelps. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William Don “Bill” Phelps. He is survived by his wife, Shelley (Pierce, Wise) Phelps, his second cousins, Edwin “Duke” Nix and Tona Lou Jewell, and his third cousins, Johnny Jewell and Annie Tobin, their families, and his many friends.
Lonnie grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Classen High School where he played football and basketball. He was a spiritual person. He took an interest in Zen Buddhism and practiced yoga for several years. In his late 30’s, he became connected to the Native American Indian Church, in which he was very active the remainder of his life. He was asked to be the “fireman” for a certain branch of that church and, in that capacity, he spent many years finding, cutting, and preparing wood for the fire, which he would build and tend during the prayer meetings. He loved music. He especially loved the prayer songs from the Native American Indian Church. He knew many of the songs. Listening to the songs on tape often brought tears to his eyes as he was touched by their beauty and spirituality. He enjoyed photography as an art form and poetry. He wrote several poems. One of his favorite poems was “The force that through the green fuse drives the flower,” by Dylan Thomas.
Lonnie served in the United States Army from September, 1958, to August, 1961.
Lonnie worked in the printing business, preparing pieces for print, until his retirement. After retirement, he enjoyed working in his vegetable garden and spending time with his wife and their friends. He will be sorely missed by them all. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 29, at Sunny Lane Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Shriners for Children.
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