Richard "Buddy" Phelps Sr.

November 20, 2020

It is with great sadness and love that we announce the passing of our father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and good friend, “Buddy” Phelps. Buddy, a resident of Portsmouth, VA, and an Air Force veteran entered into rest suddenly Friday, November 20, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth George Phelps and Elnora Margaret Phelps-Reem and sister, Linda Massey. He lost the greatest love of his life, his wife of 49 years, Nancy Gryder Phelps,10 years prior. Buddy is survived by two sisters, Pat Sheets and Barbara Meyer and her husband Carl, daughter Sherri Lilley-Peck and husband Gary, two sons, Richard K. Phelps Jr. and wife Deanna, Robert J. Phelps and wife Tammy, grandsons, Jarret Lorsong and Carter R. Phelps, granddaughters Allison, Faith, and Grace Phelps, and many nieces and nephews. Buddy, as his name implies, was a good friend to all who knew him. He possessed the “gift-of-gab” and had the ability to speak easily to anyone and make that person feel like they were genuinely important to him because they were. He was a great listener, a dedicated father and husband, and would offer a helping hand to any and all who may be in need without hesitation. Buddy worked in the automotive industry his entire career which ranged from auto parts stores to car dealerships, and eventually to a career he retired from as Regional/District Parts/Service Representative for Nissan Motor Corporation/U.S.A. He loved to play golf with his friends, but his most precious times were spent with his wife, Nancy, boating, traveling the country and the world, and generally doing anything in his power to bring her happiness. He was a tremendously dedicated family man, who devoted his life to supporting his family in any and every manner he could. Many people might consider this simply the duties of a typical husband/father, but he was more than a typical husband and father. Buddy was our hero, the one person we knew we could count on no matter the circumstance, he would be there to solve a problem no matter how big or small, give sound advice, listen when needed, and provide the reassurance only a father can provide when any of us had self-doubt. He left a void in our family’s life that can never be replaced, and he will be sorely missed. We take solace in the knowledge that he is no longer in pain and can once again be united with our mother and his life-long love Nancy. A private funeral service for family members will be held at 2:00pm Saturday in Loving Funeral Home, Portsmouth, VA. A private family service with Military Honors will be conducted at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery at a future date.