Robert J. Phelan

GAINESVILLE TX.-- Robert James (Bob) Phelan age 88 passed from this life on Mar.28th in Gainesville.  Bob was born on March 5, 1926 in Bloomington, Illinois to Joseph Phelan and Margaret Gillen Phelan.  He was married to Lola Shelton Hamilton on January 2, 1975 until she preceded him in death on April 12, 2010.  Bob had most recently resided at the Pecan Tree Nursing Facility in Gainesville Texas.

Bob lived for many years in the Wichita Falls area while working as a welder for Burgess Industries and driving race cars on the dirt track circuit throughout the Texhoma region.  He was a standing member of the Texhoma Racers Hall of Fame, being inducted to that honor on October 22, 2010.

Bob and Lola had also operated their Phelan lunch truck business before retiring and moving to Edmond Okla. to be near his son and granddaughter.  They enjoyed travel to many destinations throughout the world, visiting family and friends, including the camaraderie of old racing buddies.  Bob and Lola later returned to Texas and resided at Walnut Bend close by her son, daughter and extended family in the surrounding area.

Bob is survived by one daughter Linda Ballinger and husband Rick of Callisburg, son Bobby Hamilton and wife Vicky of Walnut Bend, son David Hamilton and wife Patty of Bonham, son Jerry Garner and wife Loni of Edmond Okla., grandchildren Josh Ballinger and Garra, Matt Ballinger and Stephanie, Crystal Johnson, Bobby Dale Hamilton and Kristina, Dania Pieper and Bobby all of Texas, Rachel Garner and Susan Gentry of Oklahoma, Matthew Garner, Steve Hamilton and Jen of Florida and Nick Garner of Virginia. Bob also took great pride in his many nephews, nieces, great grandchildren and numerous friends.  Bob thoroughly enjoyed being around his family and friends while discussing racing sports, football or any current topics of the day.

Bob was also preceded in death by a sister Patricia Talley of Denver Colorado, a brother Donnie Phelan of Wichita Falls, his parents and his first wife Marcel Garner of Okla. City.

Family visitation will occur on Sunday afternoon Mar. 30th from 2:00-3:00 pm at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville, Texas.  Chapel services following the visitation with Mitchell Martin officiating, and burial taking place at the Callisburg Cemetery. A celebration of Bob’s memory at the Callisburg Community Center will follow the graveside. Serving pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons, with all Texhoma Racing Hall of Fame members as honorary bearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to Texhoma Racers Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls Texas or Pecan Tree Residents Activity fund in Gainesville, Texas.