Ruben Recil Phelps

Ruben Recil Phelps, 85, of Warren passed away March 5, 2021.

Born March 6, 1935 in Silsbee, Texas to Ernest and Bessie Phelps, he lived in Warren for many years.  He was a U. S. Navy Veteran.  Ruben worked on the ferry as a diesel and electrical engineer before working at Dow Chemical as an operator retiring after 29 years of service.  But he did not stop there he then drove a dump truck for T&P Excavation which he truly enjoyed.  He was a member of the Myrta Lodge #658. He was s Past Master, 32nd Degree Mason, a Scottish Rite and a Shriner Clown participating in many parades and entertaining at the Galveston burn unit on Christmas mornings bringing smiles to the many people he met. 

Ruben loved to fish especially watching his family fish but enjoyed cooking up the catch of the day.  He was instrumental in starting the Little League Baseball league, served on the City Council and was Assistant City Judge in Clute, Texas.  He loved to make people laugh and had a jolly laugh that made others enjoy life.  He was the greatest husband, dad and PawPaw and will be missed greatly. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Bessie Phelps; brothers, Douglas Phelps and Ernest Phelps.

Ruben is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara Phelps; children, Kathy Phelps-Thompson and husband, Benny and Doug Phelps and wife, Cherri; grandchildren, Richard Thompson and wife, Amber, Tonya Thompson-Goodrum and husband, Stephen, Josh Clement and wife, Samantha, Jacob Clement and wife, Kate and Jon Clement; great grandchildren, Cory Goodrum, Lukas Thompson, Lexi Goodrum, Jude Thompson, Nevaeh Goodrum and Oliver Clement; and a host of other family members and friends.  He never met a stranger.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 5 pm until 8 pm at Riley Funeral Home in Woodville.  Cremation services will be held at a later date.

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