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Harold L. Phelps, 89

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle and friend, Harold L. Phelps slipped peacefully into the arms of his Lord Jesus Christ, in his home in Post Falls on Aug. 29, 2017.

Harold was born Dec. 3, 1927, in Bridger, Mont., the second of four sons, to Charles and Grace (Shelmerdine) Phelps. The family moved to the Coeur d’Alene area when he was a young boy and he learned to work hard, milking the family’s 20+ cows each day before and after school. In 1952, Harold married Robyn (Peoples) Scofield, lovingly adopted her young daughter Lynda and they thoughtfully produced four siblings for her, Susan, Lee, MaryBeth and Dawn. The two were inseparable, enjoying many adventures and enduring life’s hardships and tragedies side by side. They suffered the loss of their youngest daughter Dawn Phelps McConnell to cancer in 2007.

Harold served in the 22nd Infantry, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. When his daughter Susan recently presented him with a “Korean War Veteran” cap, he was embarrassed, insisting, “I didn’t do much.” However when he wore it and when thanked he’d admit that, “it’s nice to be thanked.”

A jack-of-all-trades he became master of all of them. A self-taught master woodworker he built the home where he and his wife, Robyn raised their five children. He created many beautiful pieces of furniture and enjoyed using exotic hardwoods to create impressive intarsia. Harold worked in the lumber mills for several years and then trained as a journeyman plumber retiring from Local 44 Plumbing and Pipefitters Union. He was happiest being in the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, huckleberry picking and rock hunting. He hunted with son Lee and brothers, John and Bud and kept the family well-supplied with elk and/or venison. An avid fisherman, you found if you went out with him you had better plan on making a day of it. For many years, he logged his own wood to heat the family home. A favorite indoor activity was playing scratcher tickets, always hoping to, “win the big one.”

Robyn passed away Feb. 6, 2017, just a few weeks shy of their 64th wedding anniversary leaving Harold a sorrow from which he never recovered. He passed just seven months later under the loving care of his daughter Susan and her husband Patrick. They prayed together nightly asking God to make his passing gentle and that prayer was answered when he went softly into the arms of Jesus. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Robyn; daughter Dawn Phelps-McConnell; and brothers, Charles, Robert “Bud” and John Phelps.

Harold will be so missed by his children, Lynda (Larry) Neuman, Susan (Patrick) Gray, Lee (Patty) Phelps and MaryBeth (Marco) Hernandez; and grandchildren Heidi (Dan) Dixon and Tyana (Arthur) Neuman-Elliott, Trina (Billy) Bradbury-Pino, Brenda (preceded in death by her husband Rusty) Bradbury-Price, Amber (Chris) Bradbury-Carvajal, Kylee Bradbury, Moesha Gray (Bonus great-granddaughter Zariah due in December), Josh (Eleanor) Phelps, Bryan (Terra) Phelps, Casey (Lena) Phelps, and Alicia and Daniel Hernandez.

Great-grandchildren are Moriah (expecting a great-great-grandbaby), Zion and Terah Dixon; Arthur and Alexander Elliott; Benjamin Pino; Cody and Connor Carvajal; Ethan Bradbury and Tucker Price; Hannah and Hudson Phelps; Parker, Lilah and Colin Phelps and Campbell and Sheridan Phelps. Ethan Price proudly presented Harold with his first great-great grandchildren, son Jayce and daughter Aaliyah.

Harold and Robyn were loved by the many medical professionals involved in their care and the family is grateful to them all, with special thanks to in-home caregivers Cari, Heather, Noella and granddaughters Amber and Moesha. He was referred to as “sweet” by most all and appreciated for his sharp wit, though he was a man of few words. His magnificent, huge hands were often remarked upon.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, at His Place Church, 3079 E. 16th St., Post Falls, Idaho; potluck to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moody Bible Institute or Union Gospel Mission in Harold’s honor.