He was born in Huntington, West Virginia on December 2, 1931, the son of Edward and Ethel Phelps. The family moved to Maine in 1932. John attended Mt. Vernon grade school and graduated from Belgrade High School. He attended the University of Maine in 1951-1952. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October,1952 and discharged in October, 1954. He joined The Maine State Police in March, 1955. He patrolled the Maine Turnpike, then was chosen as a driver for Governor Edmund Muskie in 1956. After Muskie he drove for Governors Clauson and Reed.

On May 21, 1960 he married Joyce Richardson of Farmingdale.

John patrolled in the Winthrop area from 1960 to 1969. He worked in communications in Augusta until 1973; then on security at the Blaine Mansion with Governor Curtis. He also drove United Nations representatives to Forest Park off Lily Bay at Moosehead Lake during Muskie’s term as Governor.

Among some of the people he drove for included Dr. Ralph Bunch (who won the Nobel Peace Prize), Sam Rayburn (Speaker of the House in Washington, D.C.), and Senator John F. Kennedy when he visited Governor Muskie in Augusta.

He retired from the Maine State Police in 1975 and then was employed at the Blaine Mansion until 1995. Some of the visitors he met at the Blaine Mansion included Senator Mondale, President Carter, Bob Hope, Captain Kangaroo and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He worked for eight different governors and retired from State service in1995.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting birds and many sports. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball. He liked to travel, and he drove to California twice. He also enjoyed going to country western shows and saw many of the country western shows in Nashville, TN; Branson, MO; Pigeon Forge, TN, and Florida.

He was predeceased by his mother and father and brothers, Richard, Robert, and James Phelps.

In addition to his wife of 64 years, he is survived by his children, Jim and wife Terry Phelps of Dresden, Jeff Phelps of Sidney, and Jean LaFreniere and partner Walter Birkbeck of Monroe, 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, and many close friends.

Visiting hours will be on Monday, April 22 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A service will follow at 1:00 pm at Knowlton Hewins Funeral Home 1 Church St., Augusta, Me.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 17 at 12:00 noon at Pine Grove Cemetery, Belgrade, ME

Donations may be made to the American Diabetes, Heart, or Kidney Associations.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton Hewins & Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta, where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com