Preston Erle Phelps, Jr.

Tributes~Preston Erle Phelps, Jr.

Preston Erle Phelps, Jr.
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Date of Birth: 
February 1 1937
Date of Death: 
October 9 2019

Preston Erle Phelps, Jr., age 82, of Merritt Island, Fla. known as "Tony," passed away on October 9, 2019. He was born on February 1, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to the late Preston Erle and Marie (Wilmot) Phelps. He is survived by his spouse Mary Elizabeth (Gmitter) and two sons, Andrew (Jonelle) Phelps of Portland, Ore. and Christopher (Katie) Phelps of Pittsburgh, five grandchildren, and a brother and sister, Peter and Paula Phelps.
Tony attended Linsly Military Academy, Denison University, and Ohio University where he earned a mechanical engineering degree. In the early '60's he switched careers, moved back to Pittsburgh, and took over his father's contracting bond business.Then in 1988 he joined K&K insurance company in Fort Wayne, Ind., handling policies for automobile racetracks in North America. He called it his "dream job," since most of his life he had spent his spare time at these very tracks -- as a driver, a steward, a designer, an organizer and for eight years a director for the Sports Car Club of America.
Tony retired to Florida in 2004 where he continued his dream job on a contractual basis, traveling to and inspecting racetracks from coast to coast.
Cause of death was lung cancer.
A celebration of life will be held at Our Saviour Church in Cocoa Beach on November 2 at 10:30 AM. Private family interment will be held at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pa. at a later date.

Place of Birth: 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Place of Death: 
Merritt Island, Florida, United States
Primary State of Residence: 
Merritt Island, Florida, United States

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