(CHICAGO) March 15, 2016 – Don Phelps of Newport Coast, California, died March 3, 2016. A memorial service will be held April 2 in Newport Beach.
In 1961, Don 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, California, a company celebrating 44 years in business. During his career, he supported the vend industry, serving as president of the California Automated Vending Council (CAVC). Don was also a member of NAMA and the California Restaurant Association.
According to Dick Atnip, one of Don’s good friends, “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. Don’s efforts also included leading CAVC fund-raising for the Walsh Family CAVC Scholarship Foundation,” he said.
During the past five years, Don 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.
Don is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sally; five daughters: Janet Pirus, Dorothy Henderson, Dana Schaefer, Christine Amsler and Sheri Snelling; son, Tom Snelling and his wife Kelly; seven grandsons, three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. He also leaves his sister Gladys Jennings and her husband and brother-in-law Tom Penfold and his wife Alicia.
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1250 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
