Dr. John E. Phelps, 83, passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2025, after a brief but fierce illness.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rebecca; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Stephanie; his daughter and son-in-law, Kristina and Christopher Robinson and his two grandchildren, Misha and Zachary. He is also survived by three sisters, two sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was born on March 6, 1942, to Maxine Junior and Woodrow Wilson Phelps in Birmingham, Alabama. His father served as a medic in WWII and killed in action in Korea. His stepfather, Allen Council, was also a career military service member.
John graduated from an American military high school in Germany and returned to the United States for college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics from East Texas State College in Commerce, Texas. He later earned a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin.
John taught chemistry at the University of New Hampshire before completing postdoctoral work at Purdue University, where he focused on using computers to automate laboratory analyses.
He began his professional career at the E.I. duPont de Nemours Central Research Laboratory in Wilmington, Delaware, where he applied analytical techniques to develop new manufacturing processes for the intermediate materials used in producing Nylon.
Later, he transferred to the DuPont Research Laboratory at Sabine River Works in Orange, Texas, where he and Rebecca made their home for the past 48 years. He retired in 2000 to pursue woodworking and computers. He and Rebecca traveled extensively across the U.S. and Canada for woodworking courses with renowned instructors. John was passionate about the tools and techniques of woodworking—he made many kits, though he was more interested in the process than in completing finished pieces. Computers also led him to a small business providing computer navigation for tugboats plying the Intracoastal and software support for computerized embroidery sewing machines.
He was a passionately devoted husband, a hard working father, an over the moon happy grandfather, and loyal friend. He will be forever missed!
Funeral services will be at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Jeff Bell.
Visitation will begin prior to the service at 5:00 p.m., June 12, 2025, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
John’s service will be livestreamed on the Claybar website under his profile at https://www.claybarfuneralhome.com/.
Because of the wonderful care provided by Southeast Texas Hospice, the family would like you to consider making donations to: Southeast Texas Hospice, P.O. Box 2385, Orange, Texas, 77631.
Cremation will be held under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.