Chris Phelps died June 26 in Reno, Nev. He was 51.
Phelps was born on Dec. 24, 1959 and grew up on the beach in Malibu. He was known by his family as “a continual whirlwind of mischief, illustrated by a funny face in every family photo.”
Phelps attended Juan Cabrillo Elementary School, Malibu Park Junior High School and Santa Monica High School. The Malibu Little League and his group of friends from the neighborhood played a big part in his youth.
Phelps enjoyed spending a great deal of time in the Southern California sunshine during the ‘60s and ‘70s. As a teenager, he loved surfing at Zuma Beach with his friends and taking part in “hilarious group efforts to keep ‘their’ beach local.” When not surfing, Phelps enjoyed skateboarding as well.
Phelps briefly lived in Visalia, Calif. and moved to Maui, Hawaii in 1978. He met his wife, Jane, in Maui and the couple started a family there. Phelps was known to his friends in Hawaii as “Guppy” and is remembered for his kindhearted attitude.
Phelps and his family later moved to Reno where he worked as a backhoe operator, and have lived there for the past 12 years.
Phelps loved spending time with his family. Those who knew him say his love and appreciation for his wife Jane was immense and that his daughter was the joy of his life.
Phelps died as a result of his battle with cancer.
Phelps is survived by his wife Jane Beacom, his daughter Samantha, his parents George and Sandy, and siblings Carrie, Jenny, John, Katie and Susan. He is preceded in death by his brother Georgie.
A memorial service took place in Reno June 28. An online version of the service is available at www.finalwishfuneralhome.com.