Lanny David Phelps

Lanny David Phelps, 85, Central Park resident and former machine operator for ITT Rayonier, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Lanny was born on June 30, 1941 in Auburn, WA to James Preston and Myfanwy (Davies) Phelps. His father worked for Northern Pacific Railroad and the family lived at Stampede Pass until 1950 when they moved to Yakima.

Lanny joined the US Army in 1959 and served mostly in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1965.

Lanny married Carolyn LeRay Sams on December 20th 1969 in Aberdeen Washington.

He came to the harbor in 1966 and worked for ITT Rayonier Pulp till his retirement in 1992 after 26 years. He then worked for Weyerhauser for another 9 years. He later went to work for the Mount Rayonier Scenic Railroad in Elbe as a conductor for 8 years.

Lanny liked railroading, traveling and enjoying life and walking and working in the garden. He was also a member of the American Legion.

Lanny is survived by his wife, Carolyn Phelps of Aberdeen; a son James Phelps of Port Angeles; a daughter, Karen Fretheim of Central Park; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother Raymond Phelps and a sister Marilyn Bonneville.

There will be a time of visitation on Friday, November 6th from 9 AM to 1 PM at Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home. Entombment will take place at Fern Hill Cemetery’s Mausoleum at 2 PM with military honors.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.