Jimmy Wheeler

James Allen “Jimmy” Wheeler passed away on July 21, 2017 in Tyler. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday, July 29th at Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel at 1607 Troup Highway in Tyler with Dr. David O. Dykes and Rev. Cory Welch officiating, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Jimmy was born in Dallas, Texas to Clifford Wheeler and Lillian Nabors Wheeler on January 18th, 1952. He graduated from Hillcrest High School and Southern Methodist University. He married the love of his life Joanne Wheeler on September 1st, 1979. Jimmy was an Honor Roll student at Hillcrest High School where he participated in golf, basketball, Key Club and Student Council. He later attended Southern Methodist University where he was a four year letterman on the Men’s Golf Team and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Men’s Fraternity. In the 1970s he worked for Martin Foods and Southland Corporation and later was a salesman for Mutual of New York. In the early 1990s he joined The Wheeler Company where he served as Vice President overseeing various investments including the family’s beloved Quick N’ Easy Car Wash. Jimmy was an accomplished amateur golfer, playing in top amateur tournaments around the country. He loved the comradery and storytelling of the game and the many friends he made while playing. Jimmy won the first two Texas Golf Association Four-Ball Championships in 1976 and 1977, which were played at his home course, Dallas Athletic Club. In addition to eight Hollytree Country Club Championships, Jimmy won club championships at Dallas Athletic Club and Northwood Country Club in Dallas. More recently, Jimmy finished 4th in the Texas State Senior Championship in 2013 at Willow Brook Country Club. In 1985, Jimmy co-founded the Azalea Invitational Golf Tournament, a 54-hole tournament that attracts some of the top amateur players in Texas. The tournament was renamed in his honor in 2015. In later years, Jimmy was an inspiration to many as he relied on his Christian faith and the love of family and friends to withstand significant health challenges. Jimmy will be fondly remembered for his faith, sense of humor, optimism, zest for life, and love of family and friends. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents. Jimmy is survived by his wife, Joanne; brother Clifford Wheeler, sister Doretha Glass; three children, Jennifer Hall and husband David; Austin Wheeler and wife Lauren; Natalie Welch and husband Cory; and eight grandchildren, Laura Leigh, Anna, Ethan, Lilly, Lillian, Hudson, Jonah, and Mary Ann. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jimmy’s honor to Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas and Hospice of East Texas. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Jimmy Wheeler

January 18, 1952 - July 21, 2017