Jerry Max Phelps was born to Maxwell Jack Phelps and Mary Elizabeth (Mountain) Phelps on April 12, 1944, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. He was the oldest of 7 children born to Jack and Mary Phelps. Jerry left his earthly home on May 18, 2026, at the Kansas Soldiers’ Home in Fort Dodge, KS.

Growing up on the family farm south of Selman, Oklahoma. Jerry attended the Selman School where he graduated in 1962 as Salutatorian of his class. Jerry went on harvest for several years and always went North with the custom cutters he worked for during his teen years.

Jerry was drafted into the army and started serving on August 7, 1967, at the age of 23 and was honorably discharged on July 31, 1969, at the age of 25. Jerry was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas then he went to Fort Ord, California, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Germany, Vietnam and then came home. During his military service he was an ammunition officer, became a Lieutenant and received a Bronze Star, an Army accommodation medal. He was able to travel during his army career to Australia, Europe and Asia.

Jerry went home and instead of continuing his college career, Jerry purchased a convenience store (Toot and Tell) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, until the highway expanded and he had to close the store. Jerry later worked for Grimsley Janitorial Supply, Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he was a delivery person for them and traveled all over the state delivering products.

Earlier in his life he was a computer Guru, worked on computers and taught his little sister how to use them. Jerry loved to go watch movies on a weekly basis. Jerry was a member of the local Star Creek Astronomy Society. He was a precinct worker for the Harper County Election Board and worked at the Buffalo Public Library for several years. Jerry loved to play Santa at Christmas time and always had candy canes in his pocket to pass out to the young children. Lots of children around town still call him “Santa” when they see him.

He was proceeded in death by his brother William Earl (Bill) Phelps in January of 1985, his mother Mary Elizabeth (Mountain) Phelps February of 1993, his father Maxwell Jack Phelps in October of 2001 and his sister Elizabeth Arlene (Phelps) Bussinger in November of 2020, his brother-in-law Tom Selman March of 2002, and sister-in law, Nadine (Harmon) Phelps December of 2024.

Jerry is survived by his sister Corene Selman, of Woodward, Oklahoma, brother Willy Phelps, of Dodge City, Kansas, sister Marlene Renouf and sister Darlene and husband Marty Drew both of Buffalo, Oklahoma and many nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends will be gathering, 11:00AM Saturday June 13, 2026 at the High Point Cemetery, Buffalo, OK.