Col. James Isaac Wheeler

Retired Air Force Colonel, James I. Wheeler, a decorated veteran of combat tours in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, died August 24, 2015 at age 92. He was also a very loving, supportive and caring husband, father and friend. In September 1942 he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet and was called to active duty in January 1943. He graduated from pilot training in March 1944. During WWII, he flew 75 combat missions in the P-47 “Thunderbolt” with the First Air Commando Group in India-Burma. In October 1951 Colonel Wheeler went to Korea as an F-86 pilot, followed by a variety of Air Force assignments including receiving an Undergraduate Degree from U of CA Berkeley in 1957 and Master’s Degree at Ohio State in 1962. His next assignment was to North American Aviation in Los Angeles as Deputy AF Plant Representative from 1962-66. During 1967 he served at Danang Air Base, Vietnam where he flew C-47 aircraft in psychological warfare and base support missions while assigned as Base Operations Officer for the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. He flew 108 missions in that role. His Air Force career also included several senior staff positions in weapon system procurement followed by a tour in the Pentagon in 1968-72 on the staff of the Secretary of the Air Force. Military decoration include the Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Cluster, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters plus a variety of Theater Service medals and ribbons. After retiring from the Air Force in September 1974, he joined the Hughes Aircraft Company in California. During the next 15 years he held a number of Procurement Management positions, including four years as Director of Missile Systems Tucson from that assignment in April 1984 and retired from the Hughes Tucson Plant in November 1989. After retirement from Hughes, Jim was a member of and held several offices in, the Order of Daedalians (a fraternity of Military Pilots), the Military Officer’s Association of America (MOAA) and served as President of the Tucson Chapter Air Force Association (AFA) for six years followed by three years as AZ State AFA President and then two years as AFA Southwest (AZ, NM, NV) Region President. He served on the Tucson “Pops” Board of Directors for 12 years. He also served 19 years as President of the HO Association in the community where he resided. Jim will always be remembered for his love of Ballroom dancing, especially to Big Band music of the ‘40’s. He also enjoyed square and round dancing. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; three sons, James, Michael, Jeff; brothers, Jack and Wayne; six grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Monday, August 31, 2015 at Davis Monthan Air Force Base – Hope Chapel. Enter through Craycroft gate. He will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family suggests a donation to: Operation Warm Heart, 3405 S. 5th St., D-M Air Force Base, Tucson, AZ., 85707.