Hugh Edwin Phelan

Hugh Edwin Phelan, 93, of Donaldson, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Hot Spring County Medical Center in Malvern. He was born March 30, 1918, to Thomas and Maude Phelan in Malvern. He was a Christian and worshipped at Donaldson Missionary Baptist Church where he was a member. He taught Sunday School and was active in the construction of the current church building. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Hazel McKenzie, two brothers, Calvin and Harold Phelan and daughter-in-law Frances E. Phelan. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn Orr Phelan, two sons Dr. Jim Phelan and wife Paula of Little Rock and Dr. Dick Phelan and wife Anna of Benton, five grandchildren Kristi Pierce and husband Brad of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Tom Phelan and wife Wendy of Little Rock, Patrick Phelan and wife Neely of Little Rock, Dr. Todd Phelan and wife Sarah of Rogers and Brad Phelan of Washington D.C., and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Neil Phelan of Donaldson and two sisters, Nettie Jackson of Magnet Cove and Ruth Young of Hot Springs Village. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-17 bombardier during World War II. He completed 25 combat missions over Germany and occupied France from January 1943 to October 1943 with the 306th Bombardment Group of the mighty Eighth Air Force. He was involved in the first daylight bombing raids over Germany in January 1943. For his heroic services during the war, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. After completing his duty in the war he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Evelyn Orr, of Donaldson, on December 4, 1943. He later served as the Arkansas Liaison Officer Coordinator for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., counseling Arkansas high school students who were interested in attending the Air Force Academy. In addition, he was elected Circuit Clerk of Hot Spring County before accepting an assignment at the Unites States Post Office as rural mail carrier at Donaldson where he served 30 years. Services will be held at Donaldson Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 15, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation being held at the church, prior to the services, at 10 a.m. with Brothers Keith Rowton and Hollis McDermott officiating. Pallbearers will be Jim, Dick, Tom, Patrick, Todd and Brad Phelan. Arrangements will be by Atkinson Funeral Home in Malvern and the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Donaldson Missionary Baptist Church. The burial will be at Ouachita Cemetery with full Military Honors. Special Thanks to Dr. Ray Bollen and the wonderful staffs at Hot Spring County Medical Center and Malvern Nursing and Rehabilitation.