Roll Call Tribute

Published in (San Antonio) Express-News from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2008

Raymond Phelps Jr.
PHELPS
Raymond Phelps, Jr age 86, - Prominent San Antonio architect passed away on November 27, 2008. Born in San Antonio, TX on January 27, 1922 to Raymond and Irene Holland Phelps he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939 and attended Texas A&M College from 1939 to 1941. He graduated from the University of Texas (Austin) with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1949. While attending Texas A&M, his studies were interrupted by WWII. On December 8, 1941, he enlisted in the service. Mr. Phelps was a combat fighter pilot in the Pacific Theatre earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and two air medals. After graduating from UT, he continued his military career in the Texas National Guard, retiring after 20 years with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Mr. Phelps was a partner in the architectural firm of Phelps, Garza, Bomberger, retiring in 1993. As Partner and Principal-in-Charge, projects in education include the Medical School, Dental School, and the Nursing School for the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Engineering Sciences Building, and the Perry Castaneda Library for the University of Texas in Austin, college dormitories at Texas A&I, St. Mary's University, and Our Lady of the Lake University. Work also for San Antonio, Eagle Pass, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, and Northside Independent School Districts. Significant federal contracts included the American Embassy in Mexico City, the Major Air Command Headquarters Building of the USAF Security Service at Kelly AFB, and various armories for the Texas National Guard. For both the private and public sector bank industry, he supervised design of three Federal Reserve Banks in San Antonio, Houston, and El Paso; the First National Bank, Brownsville; the Alamo National Bank and the Broadway National Bank, San Antonio. Other works of importance includes the Teaching Hospital in the South Texas Medical Center at San Antonio; the original Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital at San Antonio; the Convention Center for Hemisfair 1968; the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville; the Texas State Aquarium of Corpus Christi; the Victoria Texas Zoo and various housing projects in San Antonio, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Crystal City. He served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for San Antonio and was a charter member of the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Urban Renewal Committee. Mr. Phelps was a member emeritus of the American Institute of Architects, the military order of the World Wars, and the American Legion Post #10. He was president of the San Antonio AIA in 1957 and Texas Society of Architecture director in 1958 and 1960. He was an arbitrator in the American Arbitration Association. He was a past member of the Oak Hills Country Club and the Argyle. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ashley Phelps; son, Raymond (Rep) Phelps, III and wife, Linda; daughter, Barbara (Bobbin) Phelps-Gredell and husband, Leo; granddaughter MaryAshley Phelps Gredell; step-granddaughters, Helena Hummel and Amanda Hummel Small and her son Luke. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at Sunset Funeral Home with the entombment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of your choice.