Oneonta – Alan L. Phelps, 68, went to be with the Lord on March 25, 2017. He passed suddenly and unexpectedly of cardiac arrest at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta.

He was born April 21, 1948 in Sidney, the son of Donald L. and Bertha L. (Buchanan) Phelps.

Alan graduated from Bainbridge-Guilford High School, Class of 1966. He then went on to graduate from both Westchester Community College and Pace University.

Alan married Karen Hayes in 1972 - she first noticed how he threw his head back in laughter. They modeled faith, love, and friendship throughout their marriage. They would have celebrated 45 years in May.

He enjoyed interacting with and helping people, especially through his jobs in printing, sales, and recently cellular sales.

Alan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sidney and currently was attending Main Street Baptist Church in Oneonta. His faith was shown through his love for his family and friends. " For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

He played basketball starting in his youth, and continued through most of his adult life. He coached many youth teams, and cheered enthusiastically and loudly for his daughter's games (regardless of the sport). He was always a fan of the Syracuse Orange, although I think we can all agree that they could have played better this year.

His favorite activities were spending time with family, asking people "Yo, what up?!", making up nicknames that end in -ster, and listening to the Allman Brothers Band. To quote the best band in the land:
"When the stars ain't shinin' bright,
You feel like you've lost your way,
When those candle lights of home,
Burn so very far away,
Well you got to let your soul shine,
Just like my daddy used to say.
He used to say soulshine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain."

He is survived by wife, Karen Phelps of Oneonta; his father, Donald Phelps of Bainbridge; two daughters, Rebecca and husband, Jason Seeley of Davenport, Kate and husband, Charles Range of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Liam Alan, Cole Jonathan, and Liesl Alexander; brother, Dana Phelps of Bainbridge; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to the memorial service at 3:00 pm, on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Main Street Baptist Church, 333 Main St., Oneonta.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta