08/23/2026
With sadness we announce the passing of John Phelps, One of the founding members who was secretary, tresurer.
John Franklin Phelps Jr., 86, of Wolcott, died peacefully on August 5, 2026, at The Manor in Morrisville, with his son and daughter by his side. John was born on November 13, 1939, to Ella Iola Powers and John F. Phelps Sr., in the home of Leon and Abby Hayford in Elmore. John battled heart disease more than half of his life, outliving all medical expectations.
In January 1956, while a junior in high school, John met the love of his life, Jeraldine “Jerry” Denton (of Craftsbury) at a dance at the Wolcott Town Hall. A month later they began dating and from then on, walked side by side for sixty-eight years until the passing of Jerry in May 2024. John graduated from Peoples Academy in June 1957 and joined the Air Force in October 1957. In December 1958, he was deployed to Korea to work as a radio operator for one year. John married Jerry on January 12, 1960. They honeymooned at the Hardwick Motel and then moved to Great Falls, Montana until October 1961 when John was honorably discharged.
The two of them drove east in their little Volkswagen settling in Burlington where John worked for General Electric for one year until GE’s federal contract expired. With the help of his father-in-law, John built their life-long home on the North Wolcott Road in 1966 where he and Jerry raised their two children.
Beginning as a teller, John worked in various positions for the Union Bank in Morrisville for sixteen years. He recalls having to buy all new clothes for his new position. Other jobs he held included carpentry work for Curtis & Bedell Construction, Trim Conklin and Ingleberth Construction and billing clerk for Washington Electric. His last position of thirteen years was a wafer fab operator for IBM from where he retired in 2006. John also operated a successful saw sharpening business from his home for thirty-three years.
John was a charter member of the Wolcott Fire Department and the Wolcott Snow Travelers serving as Secretary/Treasurer for both clubs. He was an active volunteer fireman for eighteen years. Other volunteer positions he held included serving on the Wolcott School Board, Wolcott Select Board, and the Wolcott Development Review Board. He was a member of the study committee for the new Wolcott School. He served on the loan committee for the Farmer’s Home Administration and served two years on the local Board of the Selective Service.
Retirement for John meant camping with friends and family. Over the years, he owned campers of all shapes and sizes. He enjoyed trips across the country, hitting many of the highlights of the U.S. and Alaska with Jerry and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Priscilla Denton. His favorite campsite was Cole’s Creek State Park in St. Lawrence County, NY. He also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends. Prior to retirement and hip replacement, John loved to dance. He and Jerry attended the first and last Saturday night dances at Silver Ridge in Hyde Park, as well as 90% in between.
In 2013, John became a member of the Danville Dowsers. It was here that he became interested in metaphysical energy. He was particularly interested in Slim Spurling’s invention of copper tensor rings which proponents believe neutralizes negative frequencies and accelerates natural healing. John spent hours in his shop teaching himself how to make these tensor rings. He sold many to local energy healers and hobbyists. John also took Level I and II Reiki training through Spiral Pathways in Morrisville.
In 2014, John signed up for guitar lessons with Jon Gailmor. After much practice, he began playing at the local nursing homes with Ted Lambert and Tony Washburn until COVID ended their tours. After moving to The Manor, fondly referred to as “his condo on the golf course”, in 2025, he continued to enjoy playing for fun as a resident and with his dear friend, Danny Granstaff.
John was known as “Pops” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pops kept a special stash of bingo winnings (candy) which he generously shared whenever his “littles” came to visit him in his (Manor) condo.
John was predeceased by his wife, Jeraldine; his grandson, Thomas M. Paine; his parents, Ella Iola (Powers) Nevens and John F. Phelps Sr. He is survived by his sister, Marion Lawrence and husband, James; his children, Jane Paine and husband, Brent, Jordon E Phelps and partner, Tori Faye; his grandchildren, Lauren Paine and fiancé, Vince Brown, Jordon M. Phelps, Zachary Phelps and partner, Molly Mosley, Kailey Mayo and Cecil Mayo IV; his great-grandchildren, Nila Brown, Paxton Brown, Ryder Phelps and Arden Mosley; his nieces, Patricia Bennett, and Winona Lawrence and husband, Dr. Christian Cusimano; and his nephews, Robert Lawrence and wife, Maribel, and their son, Matthew, and Andrew Lawrence.
A graveside service will be held at the Branch Cemetery in Craftsbury on Saturday, September 12th at 2pm. An informal celebration will follow at The Charlmont Restaurant in Morrisville. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Mansfield House Activities Fund, c/o The Manor, 577 Washington Hwy, Morrisville, VT 05661or Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, VT 05661. Online condolences at Curtis-britch.com.
