Mr. David Joe Wheaton

June 5, 1940 - December 8, 2021

David Joe Wheaton of Colleyville, TX, took his last breath on this earth December 8, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

David, or Dave as he was known to his friends, was born in Las Vegas, NM, at the base of the Sangre de Christo Mountains, where his love of the outdoors began. In high school, Dave excelled in athletics and the classroom. A football and wrestling star, he graduated with seven school track records, one of which stood for over 50 years.

He was the first in his family to attend college, and he received an ROTC scholarship at the University of Colorado – Boulder, where he continued his athletic pursuits, earning a letter in track throwing the javelin. He graduated from CU in 1962 with his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.

Dave was commissioned into the U.S. Navy, attended flight training in Pensacola, FL, and then reported for duty as a naval aviator in San Diego, CA, where he was introduced to the love of his life, Gail Ellen Moody, on not one, but two blind dates. They married on July 17, 1965, and, soon after, Dave deployed to fly combat missions over North Vietnam in the F-4 Phantom.

After returning from the war, Dave transferred into the Navy Reserves and was the first reserve pilot to graduate from the Navy Fighter Weapons School “Top Gun.” He retired from the reserves in 1982 with the rank of commander.

In 1967, he started what would be an illustrious career with aerospace giants General Dynamics/Lockheed/Lockheed Martin. He rose quickly through the ranks at these companies. Career highlights included selling F-16s around the world, serving as Corporate Vice President of Program Development and Planning, and leading the team that developed the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Many consider him the father of the JSF, and he was well known for driving his classic Lexus with the “JSF One” license plate.

After his retirement in 1998, Dave and Gail settled in Colleyville and built a vacation home, Wheaton’s Wildernest, in the Sangre de Christo Mountains above Angel Fire, NM. There, he became an avid wilderness photographer and a published contributor to Outdoor Photographer Magazine. His greatest pleasure in retirement was the opportunity to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren who he adored.

Dave is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gail; his three children: Deanna Wheaton-Titzler (Frank), Kimberly Goldman (Mark) and Joe Wheaton (Shantel); nine grandchildren: Frank David, Matthew, Jordan, Ethan, Hannah, Abigail, Rachel, Elizabeth and Catherine; his sister June Rodgers (Sam) and two nephews: David Sam and Richard. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Marie Wheaton.

A celebration of life service will be held for Dave at 10 a.m., Monday, December 20, at the First United Methodist Church of Grapevine’s Founders Chapel, followed by a lunch reception in the church’s Family Life Center. Those attending the service in person are asked to wear a mask. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/FUMCG

A private military internment will follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to two organizations designated by Dave: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or The First United Methodist Church of Grapevine’s Endowment Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Wheaton family.