Johnny Owen Wheeler

Johnny Owen Wheeler was born on March 4, 1935, to Raymond and Beulah Wheeler in Milan, MO. He lived in Milan until he graduated high school in 1953. He joined the Air Force and served on active duty until he was discharged in 1958. During his time in the U.S. Air Force, he met Linda Lou Price. They parted ways when he was discharged, and he returned home. He was only home a brief time when he decided to reenlist in the Military. He said there was a problem with the Air Force, so he walked across the street and enlisted in the US Navy. After his enlistment he decided that he could not live without Linda Lou and sought her out. They were married on September 4, 1960. This union brought them 3 children James Michael, John David and Cynthia Renee. While there were many duty stations during his Navy career, they ultimately ended up calling Pensacola, FL home upon his retirement from the US Navy on August 25, 1975. After his retirement he worked many different jobs around Pensacola. His favorite and most fulfilling jobs were his work at Pollack Rehabilitation Center and the Navy Exchange. He retired from the Navy Exchange shortly after Linda Lou died in 1997.

While living in Pensacola, they joined Westwood Christian Church. He was a longtime member of the church and always dressed up as Santa, the Easter Bunny, and his favorite Lollipop Dragon. His biggest legacy at the church was the creation of Westwood Kids. He and Linda started the program to serve the needs of the children in the community. They met on Wednesday nights and provided dinner and church classes for all the kids. He also spent many years at Myrtle Grove Ballpark where he served as Club President, Coach, Umpire, Concession stand worker, Grounds keeper and any other role that was needed to be filled.

After his wife’s passing he met Dina Flowers, and moved to Selma, NC where he resided until November 2020. Because of health reasons he moved in with his daughter Cindy and her family in Kingsland, GA. As his health started to decline, he later resided at Senior Care Center in St Mary’s, GA. This is where he resided until he passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Mr. Wheeler was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Beulah Wheeler, his loving wife of 37 years, Linda Lou Price Wheeler, and his youngest brother Billy Wheeler.

He is survived by his brothers Jim (Elaine) Wheeler, and Jerry Wheeler, sons Mike Wheeler and David (Jeannine) Wheeler, and daughter, Cindy (Jay) Hodges, and his step daughter that he recently got to meet Donna (Mike) Laipply. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jonmichael Wheeler, Haley Schaefer, Malcolm Wheeler, Jordan Wilkinson, Tiffany Wall, Rebecca (Jeremy) Sweat, Melinda Silva, James Hodges (Emily Smith) , Sabrina Hodges and Wesley (Brooke) Laipply, and his great grandchildren Lilly Anne Sweat, Maggie Sweat, Easton Wheeler, Dian Loper and Aiden Loper. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He leaves behind an amazing legacy, not only in his biological family, but in all the adopted kids he considered family. He never met a stranger, and was a friend to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Services will be held on Friday March 21, 2025 at 10:30. We will meet at Oaklawn Funeral Home at 9:30 am with the funeral procession to Barrancas National Cemetery at 10:00 am.