Funeral service for Jerry C. Phelps will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in First Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Keahbone, pastor officiating.

Arrangements are under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

The service may be viewed on the First Baptist Church website at fbclawton.org.

Jerry C. Phelps, age 87, was born March 17, 1939 in Lawton, Oklahoma to W.G. (Bum) and Pauline Phelps. He passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in Lawton.  He attended Will Rogers and Lincoln Elementary Schools and graduated from Lawton High School in 1957.  He served in the Army and then attended Cameron State Agricultural College from 1959-1961 and Oklahoma State from 1961-1963, where he earned his bachelor's degree.

While in high school and college, he worked at Tompkin's Auto Salvage working along with his father pulling parts and going on wrecker calls.  Jerry married Gwendolyn Kay Wood on September 8, 1962 at First Baptist Church of Lawton.

They raised two boys, Justin and Joel.  His career was in sales, most notably, for Blue Circle Cement.  After Gwen retired from teaching, Jerry and Gwen started a business and worked together as a team for more than a decade that enabled them to develop many great relationships in Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas.  Jerry was a wonderful father and invested his time in his boys; never missing a football game, wrestling match, baseball game or tennis match regardless of the location.  He was a leader and mentor to many young boys through these events as well serving as the football and wrestling coach for many Edison Elementary teams.

He created many great memories for his family such as a trip to the 1980 Indianapolis 500, several Dallas Cowboys Football games, and many Saturday nights at the Lawton Speedway.  He enjoyed classic cars and purchased and restored classics for Justin and Joel as their first vehicles.

He loyally attended Oklahoma State football games to cheer on the Cowboys and the tailgating before the games were special times to spend with family and friends.  His proudest and most enjoyable moments in life came with his grandchildren.  He was present to everything he could be whether it was just time, birthdays, performances, or athletic events.  Jerry was there with a smile and/or competing with them in his mind.  He also always had a good story or joke to share.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, who stood faithfully by his side.  Jerry is also survived by his sons and daughters-in-law; Justin and Shelley Phelps and Joel and Patti Phelps; his grandchildren; Abbey Schaufele and her husband Caden, Camryn Phelps, Hannah Phelps, Josh Phelps, Jacob Phelps, Collin Phelps and Connor Phelps.  He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Helen and C.L. Craig; his niece and nephews April and John Stobbe and Bryant Craig. Most importantly, while in his twenties, Jerry chose to follow Christ as his Savior.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Jerry Phelps to First Baptist Church of Lawton or the Oklahoma State University Comanche County Endowment Fund.