November 11, 1928 – May 5, 2025

Clifford Rees Phelps passed away at Golden Empire Care Facility on May 5, 2025.

Memorial services to be held July 13, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Grass Valley with reception to follow. Cremation and private interment to be held at Hooper and Weaver Mortuary in Nevada City at a later date.

Cliff was born November 11, 1928 in Richmond, California to Thomas and Bronwen Phelps. His parents were from Wales. He was raised in Crockett, California in the 1930’s during the Great Depression. He moved to Richmond and then to Pittsburg. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1947 where he excelled in basketball, baseball and tennis. He attended Sacramento Junior College and San Jose State University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1950. He served as an Administrative Staff/Sergeant with the Air Force Aviation Cadet Procurement Program 1950- 1954. Cliff graduated from Diablo Valley College in 1955. He was appointed to the California Highway Patrol in 1955 and was assigned to El Monte, Concord, Auburn, and Grass Valley areas. He served as Area Representative for the California Highway Patrol Association 1968-1982. He was employed with the Security Department of the Grass Valley Group (1983-1994).

Clifford married Ruth Carpenter on April 14, 1951 in Pittsburg. Ruth and Cliff were high school classmates. They were married for sixty-five wonderful years. They had four children Charles, David, Timothy and Lisa.

He was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church where he served a term as its Junior Warden. Cliff was a Life Member of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the American Legion Post 130, the Nevada City Masonic Lodge, and the Disabled Americans Post 122. He also was a member of the Grass Valley, Rifle, Rod and Gun Club. He served two years as its Secretary/Treasurer.

Cliff enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Great Britain, Canada, Mexico, the Panama Canal and visited several states in the USA. He planted his vegetable garden each year. He liked fishing and bowling but, most of all, he enjoyed the get togethers with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his by his wife, Ruth, parents Thomas and Bronwen, son Timothy, stepmother Gleyns Jones, and stepbrother Gordon Jones of Gridley.

Clifford is survived by sons Charles (Beverly) Phelps of Grass Valley, David (Linda) Phelps of Grass Valley, daughter Lisa (Mel) Wilcoxen of Douglasville, GA, stepbrother Ray (Alysia) Jones of Granite Bay, and sister June Goico of Long Island, NY. Grandchildren Lily Phelps of Grass Valley, Madeline Phelps (Jake fiancé) of Ripon, CA, Mellisa Wilcoxen of Douglasville, GA, Charles Wilcoxen of Arizona, great grrandson Ryan Phelps of Sacramento and great granddaughter, Luna Wilcoxen of Douglasville, GA.

In lieu of flowers, please make a monetary contribution to the Phelps Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Brandy Sanders District Scholarship/Fund Coordinator, 11645 Ridge Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95945 (530) 273-4431 ext. 2038 (used as a yearly scholarship to graduating seniors at Nevada Union and Bear River High Schools)