John Lafe Phelps

John Lafe Phelps of Cottonwood died October 8, 20222. He was born in Mesa, Arizona on March 2, 1949. His parents were Wayne Ellsworth and Mary Zoe Hill Phelps. He worked as a teacher in the Kyrene School District and as a computer programmer and computer troubleshooter for Yavapai College Verde Campus, and for two time share resorts in Sedona, Arizona.  He is survived by his wife, Carolynn Huber Phelps; children, Elena Melin (Mark), Karl (Laura Boyle), Paula Nielsen (Cameron), and Glen; and ten grandchildren.
He loved to walk in the desert (he called himself a "desert rat"); take photos, especially of flowers and of Aunt Shirley with her mouth open about to take a bite of food; and eat homemade chocolate ice cream. 
He had a contagious laugh. His children and grandchildren remember him for his tickles. He called it "drilling for happiness".
He served two missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints- as a young man in Northern Ireland and with his wife as senior missionaries in Ecuador, where they were humanitarian missionaries.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Lafe Phelps, please visit our floral store.