Eugene Dawson Wheeler Jr.

Eugene “Dawson” Wheeler, age 82, entered into God’s glory peacefully in the comfort of his own home on Monday February 12, 2024 in Turlock, CA. Dawson was born on December 2, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to Eugene Dawson and Dorothy Mae (Gilmore) Wheeler. Dawson was the youngest of four siblings and was forever the holder of his mother’s heart. Dawson attended schools in Hughson, CA. He went to Junior College in Modesto and then transferred to Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz where he pursued his education to enter the ministry. He met the love of his life Jeannette Nancy Frazee there. Dawson said God told him he would meet a girl named Jeannette, that she would be tall and intelligent and that she would play the piano. Jeannette was all of these things and more. They married on January 28, 1961 and just celebrated 63 years of marriage. Dawson and Jeannette had four children-Benjamin Dawson, Susanna Marie, John Mark and David Johnathan.

Dawson began his ministry at the Vancouver Boys Academy in Vancouver, Washington. He was ordained through the Assemblies of God and held revivals throughout the Western United States before pastoring several churches including Alderpoint, CA, Gardnerville, NV, Chowchilla, CA, Modesto, CA, and Loyalton, CA before retiring from Rohnerville Assemblies of God in Fortuna, CA. Dawson never knew a stranger. He loved Jesus and he loved people. He met people where they were and never missed an opportunity to share the good news of the gospel. Dawson was a soul winner.

Dawson was a man with many hobbies and talents. He was athletic, excelling in swimming and football in high school. He enjoyed archery and hunting. He had a sense of adventure. He owned his own Cessna plane and enjoyed taking his family out for adventures. He had several motorcycles as well as a boat that he would take out fishing. He was mechanically inclined and bought and fixed up several cars, having a particular interest in classic car restoration. Dawson was always on the hunt for a good bargain-a true Wheeler Dealer. He spent many weekends at garage sales or flea markets and could always make a good deal. He played guitar, bass, and trumpet and used these talents to worship God with his wife Jeannette joining him singing harmony and playing piano and accordion. He took pride in his garden. He grew avocados, artichokes, tomatoes and so much more. He was a true handyman and so innovative in his “fixes”. He enjoyed a good game of chess and loved beating his sons at a game. He wrote and published two books. He excelled at painting, capturing scenery, animals, and people in his artwork. Everything he tried he was good at.

Dawson was predeceased by his parents Eugene and Dorothy as well as his sisters Martha Jean and her husband Ron Dodson and Mary Joy and her husband Lyndon Smith. He is survived by his wife Jeannette, his sister Nancy Ann and her husband Don Gault, his sons Benjamin, John and his wife Megan, David and his wife Alison and his daughter Susanna and her husband Vladimir, as well as 11 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

Dawson will be laid to rest on Wednesday February 21 at 11am at a graveside service at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, California.