Paul L. Wheeler

Paul Leon Wheeler was born on July 13th, 1936 in Haskell, OK, the son of Leonard Lee and Vergie Mae (McDonald) Wheeler. He was raised with three brothers, Doy, Larry and Dale Wheeler, and one sister, Wanda Jackson. The family relocated to the Tahlequah area, and it was here he started his lifelong love affair with the automobile, be it a race car, a classic car, a stock car, you name it, he loved it! He built and rebuilt many cars in his lifetime. He was constantly working, and seldom sat down for more than a cup of coffee. He enjoyed taking out the family photographs and working on genealogy, he knew all the dates, people and places. He was a foster parent, and nothing made him happier than to give a child in need a home to go to and someone that cared deeply. He would enjoy the occasional outing with his family to the drag races and was a member of the Joker Club in Tulsa, OK. He was a man that knew what he liked and it was really fairly uncomplicated. He loved the view from his own yard, the sound of his grandkids laughter, his canine companions, Ginger and Pogo, and his wife and kids. He attended Keys Baptist Church and was the biggest gospel music fan ever. He started every day with a hot cuppa coffee and a little gospel music to get the day going. His health began to fail him and he wasn’t able to work on the chassis that once made him smile. He passed from this life on July 4th, 2024 in Vian, surrounded by those he loved. He was 87 years old and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, one son, Rick Wheeler, two brothers, Doy and Larry Wheeler, and his sister, Wanda Jackson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Dorothy L. Martin-Wheeler of the home in Tahlequah and his children, Kevin Wheeler of Sand Springs, OK, and daughter, Terrie Manard and husband Jeff of Rowlett, TX. He leaves three stepsons, Jeff Hughes of Muskogee, OK, Kenn Hughes and wife Donna of Saraland, AL, and Jerry Hughes of the home in Tahlequah. He leaves one brother, Dale Wheeler in Jenks, OK. He lives on in his grandchildren, Christopher, Monica, Jillian, Gavan, Reese and Steffi and great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Logan, Easton, Levi and Elia, and two step grandchildren, Cole and Elyse. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.