Jerry Wayne Phelps

Jerry Wayne Phelps of Culloden, WV passed away on May 23, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. Jerry was born on October 26, 1943 in South Charleston to the late Wayne Theodore Phelps and Bessie Marie Johnson Phelps. He grew up in Nitro, WV and graduated from Nitro High School as a member of the Class of 1961. He studied Civil Engineering at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology and graduated in 1965. He earned his Professional Engineering License after graduation and proudly maintained this license by completing continuing education throughout his entire life. After graduation, he was hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While working there, he was sent to Oklahoma State University to further his education and completed a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1973. Jerry worked his entire career at the Huntington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he helped design locks, dams, and bridges that still benefit us all today. Recognizing his many professional accomplishments, Jerry was awarded the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Leadership Excellence Award by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the year 2000. The Army Engineer Association also awarded him the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal for inspirational leadership to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This award was given to him for playing a key role in the realization of significant performance improvements and for always using his challenging technical and leadership assignments as opportunities for teaching, coaching, mentoring, and learning from his co-workers. Jerry also enjoyed surveying and put this skill to use for many years operating a surveying business, Phelps-Meadows Engineering. He enjoyed many unique hobbies such as antique car restoration, woodworking and forging knives. He was a member of the Nitro Antique Car Club and his favorite restoration was his ‘51 Ford Truck. He was an active member of the Valley Woodworkers of WV for many years. He was an avid sports enthusiast and a loyal Mountaineer, rooting faithfully for his beloved blue and gold in all WVU sports. Jerry was happiest though when he was tinkering on his farm and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Jerry’s four grandchildren were his pride and joy and they kept him busy through a wide range of athletic, academic and musical pursuits. He could be seen cheering from the sideline through countless ice skating competitions, basketball games, baseball games, wrestling and swim meets. His hands-on skills were shared by working together with them on woodworking and leather projects, designing and building Pinewood Derby cars in scouts, and even attending overnight campouts. He helped work on science projects, attended math field day events, listened to recitals and orchestra concerts. He supported his grandchildren actively in all their endeavors and was always there to cheer them on. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents: Wayne Theodore Phelps and Bessie Marie Johnson Phelps; and his sister, Patricia Sublette of Nitro, WV. Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Barber Phelps. He leaves two daughters: Stacey Phelps Leadmon, DVM (Michael Leadmon) of Hurricane, WV and their children: Caroline Leadmon, Esq. (Garrett Smith) of Greenville, SC and Carter Leadmon of Morgantown, WV; and Danelle Phelps Wilson, MD (Matthew Wilson, MD) and their sons: Jack and Sam Wilson of Atlanta, GA. The Funeral Service for Jerry will be 3:00 pm Monday May 27, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home Hurricane, WV with Dr. James Lutz officiating. A private family entombment will take place at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens in Cross Lanes, WV. A visitation will be 2:00 pm on Monday May 27, 2024 for friends and family before the service. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Trustee Fund at First Baptist Church of Hurricane 2635 Main Street Hurricane, WV 25526 or flower donations are also welcomed. Anyone wishing to leave an online memory may do so by visiting Jerry’s tribute page at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com. Chapman Funeral Home located at 3941 Teays Valley Road Hurricane, WV 25526 is honored to serve the family.

Jerry Wayne Phelps

October 26, 1943 - May 23, 2024