Jack Daniel Wheeler, Sr., born on November 29, 1926 in Maysville, GA, to James Daniel and Pearl Chandler Wheeler, peacefully passed away at home on Sunday morning, September 23, 2018 at age 91. He is predeceased by both parents, his wife of 57 years, Jane Jackson Wheeler, son David Edmund Wheeler, two brothers William C. Wheeler and Loyd Wheeler and sister Frances Wheeler Fisher. He is survived by his son, Jack Daniel “Dan” Wheeler, Jr. (Joanne) of Houston, TX and daughter Donna Wheeler (Carol) of Santa Rosa, CA, granddaughter and grandson, Amy McLaughlin (Andrew) of Fresno, TX and Jeffrey Wheeler (Courtney) of Atlanta, GA, as well as two great grandchildren, Vivienne McLaughlin and Jaxon Wheeler. Jack also left behind his devoted companion, Betty Graham of Atlantic Beach as well as many dear friends.
Jack served in the US Navy in WWII as an electrician and in the US Army during the Korean Conflict as tank commander and paratrooper. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1950 as an Agricultural Engineer and worked for Ford Motor Company as an automotive engineer for more than 20 years. He was a talented problem solver and inventor and would take great joy in using his skills to help friends and neighbors even if they didn’t know they had a problem! He enjoyed hunting, traveling, playing poker, and watching football. Some of his fondest memories came from the years spent traveling the entire country with Jane in their RV and meeting people along the way.
A tribute to Jack’s life will be held at BEACHES CHAPEL BY HARDAGE-GIDDENS (1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL) on November 3rd at 5 pm with a celebratory reception to follow for friends and family. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Community Presbyterian Church of Atlantic Beach, FL, or Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org) which provides support and resources to wounded warriors of the U.S. armed forces and their families.
