Cleatus M. Phelan of McKinney, Texas passed away on April 20, 2023 at the age of 91. He was born on January 31, 1932 to Jay Alfred and Phearby Othea (Wynn) Phelan in Levelland, Texas. He was the second youngest of six children with four brothers and one sister. Cleatus served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was a staff sergeant and tank gunner with the 1st Armored Division and the 28th Infantry Division. He trained with the 1st Armored at Fort Hood, Texas and with the 28th Infantry Division in Germany. Cleatus graduated from Sul Ross State University in 1957 and University of Texas Law School in 1964 and practiced law for over 20 years in Hockley, Yoakum, Lynn, and Collin Counties. He was passionate about representing persons who could not afford a lawyer and was formerly Chief Title Officer for national title companies. Cleatus was a Christian and baptized as a young boy in Levelland, Texas and was a member of the Collin County Church of Christ in McKinney, Texas.
He was well versed on history and all sports, including the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys. Reading was a great pastime for him. Over the course of his life, he cared for many dogs, 13 that were owned as family pets. Cleatus was also a rose gardener and was a grower for Jackson-Perkins Rose Company.
He is survived by his wife, Inez Phelan of McKinney, Texas; three daughters, Mellisa Underwood of Joplin, Missouri, Julie Phelan of Prosper, Texas, and Stacy King of Midland, Texas; stepson, Rick Taylor of Leonard, Texas; brother, Harold Phelan of Granbury, Texas; and a host of other loving family and friends.
Cleatus was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Troy Alfred Phelan, Grace Bernice Phelan Dunning, Ansel Phelan, and Carl Phelan.
A memorial graveside will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Ridgeview Memorial Park, Good Shepherd Garden, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Weimaraner Rescue of Texas - www.weimrescuetexas.org