He passed away at home peacefully on January 12 after a 5 year battle with COPD. R.C. was born in Jackson, Michigan, May 12, 1947 to Richard B. & Aldine “Trefry” Phelps. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy serving two tours in Vietnam. He drove truck cross country for 25 years. He helped build roads, hauled water, worked in the oil fields and was employed at Budweiser and Monforts. He enjoyed NASCAR, riding Harleys and watching sports particularly the Broncos, Rockies, and college football. R.C. married Kathy Wiedeman McKinzie on May 29, 1993.
He is survived by wife, Kathy Phelps, sister, AnJie (Mike) Havens, Schoolcraft, MI, son, Kyle (Tanya) Hartley, Traverse City, MI, stepchildren, KaLyn (Duane) Wegher, Fort Collins, CO, Kristina (Tom) Waltz, Vancover, WA, J.J. (Nancy) McKinzie, Pearland, TX, and Kim (Cory) Nelson, Erie, CO. Brothers-in-law Ronald Wiedeman, Russell Wiedeman, Fort Collins, CO. Grandkids, Madalyn Hartley, Haidyn Hartley, Benjamin (Emily) Wegher, Lewes, DE, Scott Wegher, Sara Wegher, Denver, CO, Jessica Waltz, Wallingford,CT, Samantha Waltz, OK, Morgan McKinzie, Jonathan Butler, Asher Butler, James McKinzie, Seth Nelson and Leah Nelson.
Preceded in death by Richard B. Phelps (father), Aldine Phelps (mother), Janie Phelps (sister), John and Bertha Wiedeman (parents-in-law) and many family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VFW 2121 or DAV Department of Colorado. A celebration of life potluck will be held on June 23, 11:30 at VFW 2121, 2514 7th Ave Greeley, CO.
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