Obituary for Lonnie "Gene" Phelps

Lonnie "Gene" Phelps died peacefully in his sleep on July 4, 2009, after a long battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Amy Lou Smith Phelps; daughter Loni Ghiorso and husband Dave; son Michael Phelps and wife Diane; sister Mary O. Knapp and husband Stu; grandchildren Amy, Nathan, Timothy and Christy Ghiorso, and Michael and Melanie Phelps. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Vera and Holly Phelps, and nephew Andy Gialy.

Gene was born in Queen City, Mo., on January 16, 1934. In 1939 the family moved to Lovelock, Nev., where he spent his childhood working in the agriculture and mining industries as well as driving buses. In his spare time, he hunted and fished the local mountains and lakes, learning the history of the area, and in later years he often took his friends on driving tours, giving history lessons as they went. Throughout his life, Gene enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, camping, tennis and golf.

After graduating from Pershing County High School in 1952, Gene served four years in the Air Force working on F-89 radar systems. He met Amy while stationed in Denver, and they were married in 1956. They moved to Reno where Gene drove buses for Greylines while earning his accounting degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, which he received in 1963. In 1965, the family moved to Carson City where Gene held jobs with the State, finishing his career as deputy director of administration for the Nevada Department of Transportation in 1989.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on July 28, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Mills Park, Pavilion B, in Carson City.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary's Hospice, 18653 Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV

Cremation was handled by Fitzhenry Mortuary, Fairview Dr., Carson City.