DILLON, Mont. – Dr. James P. Phelps, 97, passed away on Oct. 25, 2021 at Pioneer Care and Rehab Center in Dillon, Mont.

He was born in Wakefield, Mass. on Feb. 13, 1924 to Edward and Ethel Phelps. Upon his father’s death he moved to Mt. Vernon in 1932 with his mother and two brothers

He was a graduate of Belgrade High School. He was in the Army in 1943 to 1945 and fought in the Battle of Normandy in France in World War II. He spent nearly two years in the 103rd M.P. Battalion (General Patten’s Third Army). He served in England, France, and Germany. He earned the Bronze Star, Victory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, The Meritorious Service Emblem, with five battle stars.

In 1947 to 1951 he received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine. In 1951 and 1952 he worked for Ansco in Binghamton, N.Y. In 1952 to 1956 he earned a doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Michigan State. From 1956 to 1970 he was employed with Brookhaven National Laboratories in Long Island, N.Y. There, he worked in Nuclear Physics and was the professor in charge of the reactor.

In 1970, to 1994, he was the professor in charge of Neutron Physics radiation and nuclear engineering at Lowell Technical Institute in Lowell, Mass. In 1994 he retired and moved to Sheridan, Mont.

He was predeceased by his mother, father; and brother, Robert.

He is survived by his brother, John and wife Joyce; and several nieces and nephews.

At his request, there will be no funeral services.