James M. Phelan

James Matthew “Jim” Phelan, age 66, devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandpa, and loyal brother, passed away on February 18, 2024, in Grapevine, Texas, after a long but valiant battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by members of his adoring family.

Jim was born on October 1, 1957, in Tecumseh, Mich., the oldest of Dr. Alvin Joseph “A. J.” and Elizabeth Rose “Bette” (VanLerberghe) Phelan’s six children. (Jim adamantly believed that he was actually born September 30, but his mother reportedly wanted an October birthday, which was her own birth month.) In 1971, he and his family moved to Lansing, Mich., where Jim graduated from Waverly High School in 1975. He attended Michigan State University in East Lansing and on August 9, 1980, married Kimberly Kay “Kim” Young, who was a registered nurse and classmate of his sister Anne at the Bronson School of Nursing in Kalamazoo, Mich. They moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area within the next year. Their son, Andrew James Phelan, was born in 1984 in Dallas. Jim, Kim, and Andrew settled in Colleyville, Texas, in 1990.

Early in his career, Jim worked for Oldsmobile and NAPA Auto Parts. A gifted computer programmer, Jim became a successful businessman and co-founded and co-owned c-Systems Software, Inc. in 1983. The company, which focused on writing dealership management software for the agricultural and powersports industries, was headquartered near Arlington (Texas) Stadium. He retired in July 2018 after the business was sold.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jane Elizabeth; and his wife of 43 years, Kim.

Jim is survived by his loving family: son, Andrew Phelan (Lorna) of Colleyville; one brother, Mark Phelan (Kim); three sisters, Anne Skuta (Greg), Karen Tuccio  (Larry); and Amy Nottingham (Jeff); three brothers-in-law Steve (Fran); Stan (Donna) and Kenny Young; two sisters-in-law, Cindy Engelbrecht and Marsha Young; two grandchildren, Norah and James Phelan; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jim enjoyed distance running, hiking, and physical fitness; traveling on cruises with his wife Kim (particularly the Mediterranean); proudly assisting son Andrew (an Eagle Scout) as a scoutmaster for Andrew’s Boy Scout activities; and scuba diving. His favorite dive trips were with his father A. J. and brother Mark in Palau, and A. J., Mark, and son Andrew in Belize. Jim participated in multiple Sierra Club 100-kilometer (62.1-mile) One Day Hikes, which followed the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) towpath from the Georgetown area of Washington, DC, to Harpers Ferry, W.V. He also loved his and Kim’s dogs (Bosco, Gizmo, and Tonka). Jim was a pleasant, knowledgeable, and attentive conversationalist and even when affected by Alzheimer’s disease, maintained his kind and polite demeanor.

Jim will be missed but always remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

No public services are planned. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.