Jack Dudley Wheeler

Jack D. Wheeler passed away peacefully on July 13, 2014 surrounded by his loving wife of 13 years, family and close friends. He was born September 14,1954 in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School class of 1973.

The very next day he started his career with Southern Pacific Railroad where he was certified as a locomotive mover and machinist. After working there several years he was laid off, then was hired with the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union, where he was placed with Trane Air Conditioning. He was certified in refrigerant transition and recovery program thru Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

In 1993 Union Pacific Railroad contacted him to return to employment where eventually was transferred to Anchorage, Alaska where he worked for several months and then he returned back to San Antonio where he eventually retired thru the railroad. Throughout his life Jack enjoyed a number of sports. He began in little league playing baseball, softball and continued playing ball throughout the rest of his life. He enjoyed being apart of bowling teams and playing golf as well. In 1997 Jack was involved in a very serious car accident and required to be air lifted to University Hospital where he endured many injuries which required constant care throughout the rest of his life. Because of those injuries he was forced to retire from Union Pacific Railroad seven years ago. Since that time he required several intensive hospitalizations which eventually took his life.

However, he lived his life to the fullest with a smile on his face every single day. He was notorious for helping friends and family in need. Rather it was just a ride home, if they needed assistance in repairing the AC systems, plumbing issues, or just a friendly hand in whatever help they needed. He was known to be a hilarious jokester, and prankster. He had several nicknames, Smiling Jack, Jackson, Jacko and Wheeler. He had many relationships with friends all the way back to his childhood that he maintained throughout his life. That is a testament to what kind of man he was. He loved his friends and family more than anything, he will be missed enormously by us all.

He was preceded in death by, his mother Edith Ann Jourdan Wheeler, his maternal grandparents, Jack and Edith Miller, paternal grandparents, Weldon and Grace Cannon.

He is survived by his loving wife Candace L Wheeler; his father, Billy Ray Wheeler; his step daughter, Malina Vasquez; and step son, Jason Vasquez(Jayna); daughters, Jacquelyn Pells (William), Nicole Kenney; brothers, Melvin Wheeler (Patricia), James Wheeler (Theresa), Bill Wheeler; and sister, Dot Conaway; grandchildren, Caitlyn, Mia, Trinity, James, Tyler, Sydney, Mikey, and Peyton; numerous nephews and nieces. Jack had no sons however he thought of his nephews, Brian, BJ, and Scott Wheeler and Michael Ohlenburger as his sons and he had special bonds with each of them throughout their lives.

His memorial service will be held on July 18th, at 1:00 pm at Porter Loring North Chapel 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232 with a reception following at Joe's Icehouse, 3721 West Avenue San Antonio. Texas 78213.