Merland Elwood Phelps, 86, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at his home in Klamath Falls, Ore., surrounded by family. He was born on Aug. 19, 1930, in Klamath Falls to Lawrence and Alpha Phelps and lived his entire life in Klamath Falls with the exception of college and service in the Army Signal Corps. He obtained his bachelor's degree at Southern Oregon College of Education and his master of education at University of Oregon. Merland was a teacher and elementary school principal for 34 years in the city public schools. He was very service oriented and active in the community for over 70 years. He volunteered endless hours and served on many boards throughout the Klamath Basin, including Camp Fire Girls, YMCA, American Red Cross, Neighborhood Watch, KADA, AMP (After school Mentoring Program), Foster Grandparents, SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) program, PFLAG, United Good Neighbors and several Good Sam Chapters. He also volunteered in the public schools several years after retirement. He was very involved in the Methodist Church all his life, and served on countless committees, attended church camps, both as counselor and camper, directed youth groups in his early teaching years, and was always available to pitch in and work on any special projects. His time as a school principal was a great joy; he loved working with kids, often with a joke here or there. Education was very important to him and he imparted that to his children and grandchildren as well as thousands of students who came through the city schools. Merland and his wife, Joyce Lee, loved to travel and traveled all 50 states, 49 of those in their motor home. A special hobby was visiting state capitols with 40 to their credit. They also enjoyed spending time with family and would often drive in their motor home to see each of their three children; snow, sleet or sunshine. Never one to complain, Merland had a positive outlook on life. He was often seen in later years walking his dog, Heidi, and later Randall and stopping to talk with neighbors. He often snowblowed the entire block in the winter, commenting that he and his dog used the sidewalks as much as the mailman. He is survived by Joyce Lee Phelps, his wife of 59 years; three children, Kathy (Mike) DeRosier of Deer Park, Wash., Larry (Agnes Szekacs) Phelps of Woodland, Calif., and James (Tim Baldwin) Phelps of Vancouver, Wash.; grandchildren, Lauren and Megan DeRosier and Daniel and Adam Phelps; sisters-in-law, Ruth Phelps of Klamath Falls and Alice (Gary) Nicholson of Eugene, Ore.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don Phelps. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 5, 2016, in First United Methodist Church, 230 N. 10th St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, Cancer Treatment Center, High Desert Hospice, Dogs for the Deaf or a . Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd, directors, 2680 Memorial Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, 541-883-3458, is in charge of the arrangements.