Vending Veteran Don Phelps Dies 84

Don Phelps

In 1961, Phelps began his vending career as a sales rep for the Vendo Co. in the southern California market. Eleven years later, he founded Food Systems Inc., headquartered in Buena Park, CA, which is celebrating 44 years in business.

Throughout his career, he supported the vending industry, serving as president of CAVC and as a member of the National Automatic Merchandising Association and the California Restaurant Association.

"Don was instrumental in the effort to gain sales tax relief in California. He, along with his many friends and colleagues, spent many hours in Sacramento working for and succeeding in accomplishing legislative sales tax relief for the California automatic merchandising industry," recalled Dick Atnip of Atnip Co. Phelps' efforts also included leading CAVC fundraising for the Walsh Family CAVC Scholarship Foundation.

During the past five years, Phelps wrote three books detailing his philosophy on living a life based on morals, ethics, a positive attitude, love of family and love of country. He also authored a handbook for entrepreneurs and business people.

Phelps is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sally; daughters: Janet Pirus, Dorothy Henderson, Dana Schaefer, Christine Amsler and Sheri Snelling; son, Tom Snelling and his wife Kelly; and seven grandsons, three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held Apr. 2 in Newport Beach, CA.