David Nelson Phelan passed away Sunday, April 17, 2011, in Houston, Texas, at 68 years of age. He was born in Beaumont, Texas on February 20, 1943 to John Henry Phelan, Jr. and Patricia Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers John Henry Phelan III and Francis D. Phelan II.
David attended St. Anne Elementary, where he met his future wife, Mary Grace. He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in 1961, and after attending Loyola University in New Orleans, returned to Beaumont to graduate from Lamar University in 1965. He and Ms. Grace were married on December 26, 1966, and moved to Houston in 1970, where they raised their two sons. The family moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1981, where David resided until his death.
David spent his career in the financial industry, and for the last decades of his life, operated Phelan Investments. He was active as a coach, and as a member of several boards, including the Colorado Chautauqua Association.
But David was defined not by his work, nor by his activities in the community, which were many. He was defined chiefly by the love that he showered upon his two sons throughout all of their lives, and upon his grandson for the first few years of his. David found friends wherever he went, from every walk of life, and at every stage of his life. He will be deeply missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Grace Phelan of Boulder; sons, James Michael Phelan of New York, and John Daniel Phelan of Boulder; sisters Mary Ann Edson of Austin, and Patricia Malain of Galveston; brother James Phelan of Austin; and grandson Briar Bear Phelan.
Visitors are invited to gather at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 25, 2011 in Parish Hall of St. Anne Catholic Church, Beaumont, Texas. An Irish Wake will begin at 7:00 pm, where friends and family will have an opportunity to share their remembrances of David. His Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 in St. Anne Catholic Church under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont with James Michael Phelan, John Daniel Phelan, James Phelan, Barry Teare, Bill Bordages, Bobby Kimball, David Fontenot, Patrick Phelan, Michael Phelan, Stephen Grace, Steve Grace, Jean-Louis Regnier, and Dr. Bud Frazier serving as pallbearers. A celebration of David’s life will be held at a later date in Boulder.
Donations may be made in memory of David Nelson Phelan to The Center for Performing Arts Medicine at The Methodist Hospital, Smith Tower, Suite 583, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030. (www.methodisthealth.com/basic.cfm?id=35580)
