Claude Gene Eugene Wheeler

Claude Eugene Wheeler passed away peacefully surrounded by his children Monday, August 29, 2016. Gene was born March 17, 1934, the fifth of six sons to Bertha Ann (Cooke) Wheeler and Claude Ayres Wheeler of Clinton, Oklahoma. Gene loved no place on earth more than Clinton, and was an ardent Red Tornado fan to the end, inquiring even on his last day how the football team had performed in this season’s opener against Altus. Gene graduated from Clinton High School in 1952. At Clinton he excelled in basketball, football and baseball, was a member of Student Council and Letterman’s club, was named an All State basketball player, and voted “Mr. C.H.S.” his senior year.

Following high school, University of Oklahoma Coach Bruce Drake offered Gene a scholarship to play basketball for the Sooners. As much as he loved being part of Sooner basketball, Gene remembered those years most gratefully for providing him a college education, which resulted in a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education from OU in January 1957. While in college, Gene served in the ROTC and continued to serve as a National Guard reservist for 13 years.

On December 27, 1957, Gene married Phyllis Pickrell of Tipton, Oklahoma. While his professional life began in the insurance industry, soon after marrying, Gene embarked on a lifelong career in and love for Oklahoma banking. Starting out as a bank examiner for the Comptroller of the Currency, Gene traveled to banks in towns throughout the state, developing professional and personal relationships he maintained throughout his life. His career moved the couple, and later their family, to several hometowns over the years – Norman (United National Bank), Oklahoma City (Liberty National Bank), Ponca City (First National Bank), Tucson, AZ (Union Bank), Duncan (Security National Bank) and finally back to Oklahoma City (Republic Bank, Charter National Bank). His experience and esteem in Oklahoma banking were recognized when Gene was named President of the Oklahoma Bankers Association in 1986. Following his retirement from day-to-day banking, Gene served as Administrator of Security Self Insurance Association, then spent the last years of his professional life enjoying his self-proclaimed role as “the bank doctor,” helping small banks in Oklahoma maintain solvency in a challenging economic and regulatory environment.

In his retirement, Gene enjoyed spending time with friends through standing breakfast groups at Panera Bread, Jimmy’s Egg and Oklahoma Heart Hospital. “Grangray” (named by his granddaughter Alexa) was also a familiar presence at his grandkids’ sporting events. He delighted in their competitions, calling out players, coaches and officials alike with unbridled and colorful enthusiasm. It was an experience unlike any other to watch an OU football or basketball game with Gene. Often his family remarked that with fans like Gene, the Sooners had no need for haters! Outbursts aside, Gene modeled for his children a tireless example of work ethic, integrity, honesty, and love and loyalty to family. He chose, without fail, to do right – by himself, his family, his colleagues and employers, and his faith.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Charles, P.L., Jim and Joe (Gene’s identical twin) Wheeler; and his wife of 53 years Phyllis. He is survived by his children: daughter LeAnn and husband Paul Lienhard, son Lane and wife Kay Wheeler, and daughter Jayne Wheeler Clarke - all of Oklahoma City. Grangray will be deeply missed by seven grandchildren: Alexa and Will Lienhard, Audrey and Adam Wheeler, and Quin, Maddie and Jake Clarke. His brother Robert L. (Duke) Wheeler of Oklahoma City, as well as sisters-in-law Jeanne Wheeler of Norman, Shirley Wheeler and Sharon Wheeler Cambridge of Tulsa, Pat Barnes of Cordell, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carla and Nelson Pickrell of Oklahoma City, and many nieces and nephews also survive him.

A memorial service and reception will be held at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Clinton High School ‘52 Graduate Endowment Fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, PO Box 1146, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1146.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.