Jim Phelon was born and raised in Westfield, MA, raising dairy cattle on Prospect Valley Farm. He had 5 siblings and 2 step-siblings. He married Sheila and had 3 children; Jim, Bridget and Maureen.

Jim spent many years working with and supporting the Milking Shorthorn breed. He has served on the National Milking Shorthorn Society Board of Directors, and was a longtime Milking Shorthorn Breed Representative for the Eastern States Exposition right up until the day of his passing. As Breed Rep, Jim and his wife Sheila, and their family, looked forward to hosting the breed dinner at The Big E every fall that gathered breeders from across the Northeast, for some fun and laughs. Jim enjoyed his term as National Director where he was able to be part of change and improvement within the Milking Shorthorn Breed.

Jim was always willing to lend a helping hand, and earned their friendship and respect of his fellow breeders along the way, which is what earned him a spot on the Wall of Fame.