Jack C. Wheeler

Jack Chester Wheeler was born March 7, 1936 Steamboat Springs, Colorado to George William Wheeler and Elizabeth Hazel Monger Wheeler. When he was 4 months old, George and Elizabeth rode their horses from Steamboat to Cheyenne and back. They camped the whole week for the Frontier Days Rodeo. He lived on the Monger homestead northwest of Steamboat. His mother died when he was 6 years old. He was raised by his Grandparents, William Chester and Olive Wheeler. For a time, he lived with Uncle Clarence and Aunt Ruth Wheeler. Uncle Dean and Aunt Hazel Wheeler were involved in raising and teaching him about horses, and farming. The family worked together to farm in the Elk River area. They shipped cattle to the Denver Stockyards by railroad. His Great Grandma Anna Johnson, homesteaded in Niwot, Colorado. She raised two boys. One continued to live in Niwot. The other son moved to Steamboat Springs. He graduated from Steamboat Springs High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado A&M (Colorado State University.) On August 16, 1959, he married Donna Jean Smith and they have resided on their ranch north of Erie, Colorado ever since. Jack taught at Louisville High School for a year. Then started farming and ranching. He raised cattle, hay and horses. He grazed cattle in Steamboat Springs and near Carter Lake. Farming and ranching is the family business that his family, Dee Jay Smith, J.T. Smith, Tristan Smith, Jackie Carlson, Stener Carlson, and Brooke Carlson are involved with. He was active in volunteering to help youth and agriculture. Jack Wheeler was a 4-H leader for Cloverleaf Riders in Boulder County for 45 years. He taught numerous youngsters about horsemanship and to love horses. The drill team was seen at many local rodeos. He is one of the founding members of the St. Vrain Round-up Club. He served many years on the Boulder County Fair Board. For over 40 years, he was on the Boulder Valley Soil Conservation Board. Jack and Donna continued to support the Longmont Old Timers Rodeo Association (Colorado Senior Pro Charity Rodeo Association). They sponsored the stick horse rodeo for youngsters during each performance for at least 25 years. He actively participated in chariot racing with horses most of his life. Even after his own children were out of High School Rodeo, Jack coached and offered his horses to teenagers. He was a member of the Colorado and National Cattlemen's Association, the American and Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Associations, and the Boulder County Horseman's Association. Surviving relatives include his wife Donna Jean Wheeler, daughter Dee Jay Wheeler Smith, daughter Jackie (Stener) Carlson. He is survived by three grandchildren: J.T. Smith, Tristan Smith, and Brooke Carlson. Other surviving relatives include: sister Viola Fry, step-mother Frances Wheeler, and numerous other relatives. He is preceded in death by mom, Elizabeth Wheeler, dad George Wheeler. He passed away on February 20 at Longmont United Hospital. Memorial service 1:30 PM Saturday February 25, 2012 at Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Niwot Campus. Cremation at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory.Memorial contributions can be made to Boulder County 4-H Foundation in lieu of flowers.