James Phelps

James T. Phelps, age 52 prominent local attorney, passed away December 31, 2001. He was a devoted husband and father, who was dedicated to personal integrity and trust, and in being a positive force in the legal profession.

Born in August 14, 1949, in Akron, Ohio, Phelps attended Louisiana State University and Lamar University B.S. 1971. He received a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1974 from St. Mary's University School of Law, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Fraternity and John Harlan Honor Society. Phelps was admitted to the practice of law in Texas 1974, and was also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas, and the U.S. Courts of appeal for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas and San Antonio Bar Association. Until 1989, he was Board Certified in the field of Labor Law, but then turned to civil litigation and corporate law, and later became highly skilled in the health care law field. Phelps was a strong proponent of voluntary pro bono legal work, and contributed hundreds of hours of pro bono legal assistance each year to those he felt were deserving and in need of quality legal help.

Although Phelps law practice was in San Antonio, he had lived in Kendall County from 1978 to 1997, moving his residence to San Antonio in 1997.

Phelps is survived by his wife, Carol Gilbert Phelps; three children, Rachel Phelps, Sean Phelps, and Morgan Phelps and daughter-in-law Misty Phelps, all of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by four stepchildren, Glen Corrales and wife Karla, and their children, Megan and Shawn of Lompoc, California, Steven Gilbert and wife Heather and their children Ryan and Cadence, US Navy Japan; Cynthia Lybeck and her fiancé Tim Vanravennsway, Costa Mesa, California; and Michael Gilbert, Newport Beach, California, and many friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony High School in the name of Sean Phelps. Pallbearers are Morgan Phelps, Sean Phelps, Christian Adams, Talal Halji, Peter Healey, and Albert Cervantes. Honorary Pallbearers are Charles Trimble, Trevor Booth and Ben Wallis.