Charles David Phelps

July 22, 1950 - March 12, 2021

David was called home to heaven during the early evening of March 12th, 2021. He left us the way he always wanted to; at the home he and his wife built together in 1983 with his family and dog, George Bailey, at his side. David was a husband, father, teacher, mentor, artist, inspiration, patriot, historian, a man cherished by many. Born and raised in Louisville, KY, David’s journey through life was nothing short of miraculous. He was a 70 year personification of the American dream. Although he certainly achieved personal success overcoming many obstacles in doing so, David’s dream and greatest success was to make life better for his family, friends, students and clients. Of everything we could say about David, all of us would agree that he always put the people he cared for before himself. Generous is one word that defined David Phelps. Evident to anyone who knew him, family was his everything. Not a day would pass without a friend or acquaintance reminding Nick or Andrew how proud he was of them and how much he loved them. David put everything on hold, sometimes to his own detriment, to make sure he was at every ballgame, ceremony, recital, graduation, and celebration. Nick and Andrew will always treasure the memories of David driving them to school almost every single day of their lives until they reached that special age of 16. His life goal and dream was to give his family everything he never had. Rest easy Pops, mission accomplished. David’s time and impact as a teacher has been felt for decades. David’s former students from all over would remind him how much they appreciated his influence on their lives. Deborah, Nick, and Andrew have years of countless occasions where former students approached David to thank him or just simply say “hi Mr. Phelps, remember me?”. David’s answer was always an excited and truthful “yes”. One of his proudest moments as a teacher came in the summer of 1992 when he treated his family to a screening of the film “Batman Returns”. His sons were too young for the film, but they idolized Batman at the time and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Upon exiting the theater, the Phelps family came face to face with none other than Batman himself. Nick and Andrew were speechless, frozen with excitement. Without hesitation, Batman approached David and uttered the greeting heard ‘round the world: “Hello there Mr. Phelps, how are you doing?”. Unbeknownst to Nick and Andrew, one of David’s former students was dressed up as the caped crusader. When you are four and six years old, nothing could top knowing that your own Dad knew Batman. The Dark Knight then instructed Nick and Andrew to always listen to their parents and for a good two or three hours, they abided. Following his teaching career, David started a new adventure as a financial advisor but his mission and motivations didn’t change. Helping his family, friends, and those who were less fortunate improve their lives and circumstances was always at the forefront of every decision he made. David’s clients were his extended family. His office was filled with pictures, gifts, and memories of his clients as they grew and raised families of their own. He had secret candy drawers for his client’s kids and he never missed an opportunity to go and see a client and their family outside of the office. David professed it was a relationship business and he exemplified that motto daily. Each one of David’s clients knew how much they meant to him. In his later years, David returned to one of his early passions, oil paintings. Anyone who has been to the family home knows about the “gallery”. David rifled out portraits at a pace that would have made Henry Ford blush. Family, friends, and clients were constantly gifted portraits of defining moments, their favorite pets, and treasured family photographs. If ever asked how much it would cost for a painting, the answer was always “no charge”. If his family ever questioned his insistence on never capitalizing on his abilities, the response was always the same: “Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting while he was alive”. We are so grateful that David’s heart and talents will live on in so many homes throughout the world for years to come. In his 70 years on earth, C. David Phelps did his best. He loved, he gave, and he left the world too soon. Those that knew him will be forever grateful. The lessons taught and the example set will be carried on. In the end, all we can say is thank you. Thank you for being a loving husband, an unbelievable father, and a great friend. We know you greeted God and Jesus with your trademark Scottish accent and a joyous “how ya doin laddie”. Put your feet up big dog, you have more than earned it. David is survived by his wife of 38 years, Deborah, sons Nicholas and Andrew (Maggie), grandson “Charlie” and his namesake who brought him so much joy over the last five months. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Mary Bryan, favorite Aunt Red (Mary Dwyer), sister Delilah Pearson, brother Daniel Phelps, brother-in-law Philip Irvin, along with many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Last but not least, George Bailey, his constant four-legged companion. His grandson, Charles, will forever be reminded of how much his grandpa loved him. David was preceded in death by his father and mother, Charles and Marcella Phelps, brother Timothy, and his “bestie” and sister, Ann Irvin. Ann tragically passed eight weeks ago and we are comforted knowing she was waiting for him in heaven ready to take their 1967 Mustang for a spin with God at the wheel. As a resident of Oldham County for five decades, David would appreciate the support of the community he cherished. The family asks in lieu of flowers donations be made in David’s name to any of the following organizations: the Goshen Food Pantry (http://graceglory.weebly.com/), Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve (https://www.creaseymahannaturepreserve.org/), Oldham County History Center (https://oldhamkyhistory.com/). A celebration of David’s life will occur this summer at the family home in Goshen, with the date, time, and theme to be announced. Who are we kidding? It will be a Scottish theme and Braveheart will be playing on every TV in the house. We love you Laddie.