John Wheat

Services for Dr. John R. Wheat, 69, of Tyler will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church Downtown with Dr. Michael Massar officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Dr. Wheat passed away, Saturday, March 3, 2007 at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. John Richard Wheat was born to Lafayette Wheat and Elva Wheat on September 17, 1937 in Kilgore, Texas. His father was employed by Tidewater Oil Company and his mother was a homemaker. John has one little brother, James "Jim" Wheat and wife Cathy of Wimberly. John's childhood years were typical- school days, church on Sunday and Wednesday nights, sports, friends and a great motor scooter. John graduated from Kilgore High School, 1955, Kilgore College, 1957, and Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. in Mathematics, 1959. In 1964, he received his M. S. from the University of Mississippi. He was selected numerous times to receive the prestigious study grants from the National Science Foundation for Mathematics studies. These awards took him and his family to San Jose State, University of Wyoming, University of Michigan, and University of Texas at Austin. In 1990, John completed his doctorate at Texas A&M-Commerce. His dissertation was titled "The Effects of Certain Affective and Cognitive Variables on Performance in College Algebra", and the results of his findings were later published in an academic journal. John?s career focus has been teaching Mathematics, Engineering and Physics. John taught at Tyler Junior College for 40 years and White Oak Public School for 6 years. Classroom teaching was the love of John's career. However, he often said "He was not done until the paperwork was complete". He participated in 160 registrations, 40 different graduations, organized and kept up with at least 160 different grade books for more than 24,000 students. He spent hours grading papers, on committee assignments and for fun drank lots of coffee with math colleagues. He also served as the Co-Sponsor for the Physics and Engineering club for many years. He started the first intramural program for students. John was a member the college honor society Kappa Delta Phi, Who's Who in College Teaching, received the Mabel Williams Chair in Mathematics, and was President of Faculty Senate. While it may seem that John was focused strictly on education, nothing could be further from the truth. John married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Douglas, in 1959. In January 2007 they celebrated their 48th Wedding anniversary. God blessed their home with 3 children: Mark R. Wheat and wife Lori of Tyler, Judy R. Gibbs and husband Danny of Rockwall, and Robin J. Edgemon and husband Kyle of Tyler. Their lives were intertwined with lots of church activities, volleyball, football, basketball, track, cheerleading, baseball, band, twirling and of course there was a need for fleet insurance! Children brought lots of graduation fun! They earned their Bachelor degrees in chemistry, accounting and early childhood education from Austin College, Baylor University, and Texas Tech University. Three advanced degrees were added. Their children blessed their lives with the choice of their life partners and eight precious grandchildren Sarah, Nathan, Luke, Justly, Joel, Daniel, Evan, and Honor who call him "Granddaddy". John always said, The absolute best part of grandchildren is watching your children care and love their own children. John was a member of the Minton's class at First Baptist Church. He taught Sunday school, served on the committee to develop the Family Recreation center and was a deacon. He was a member of Tyler Lodge #1233, a 32nd Scottish-Rite Mason and a member of Swan Lake Board of Directors. John was an avid Ham Radio operator, WA5JW was his call sign, and was very involved in his local club. He taught the training sessions for Ham operators. John loved to hunt and fish, and best of all he loved to watch his grandchildren catch fish. John's Retirement came 2 years ahead of schedule due to a diagnosis of Metastasis Renal Cell Carcinoma, but God still had more for John to do. This journey took him to the Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor Hospital to participate in a study for the drug "Sutent". The drug has since been approved by the FDA and is available to help others. Along this path came lots of encouragement from God's textbook and from family and friends. John loved his God, his family and his colleagues. On March 3, 2007 this graceful servant of the Lord quietly joined his heavenly father. Luke 23:43 Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Wheat's math colleagues at Tyler Junior College. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, March 5, 2007, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, Texas 75703 Memorials in honor of Dr. John R. Wheat may be made to the Sammons Cancer and Kidney Research Center at Baylor 3535 Worth St., Dallas, Texas 75246, Tyler Cancer Center 910 E. Houston St., Tyler, Texas 75702 or the Tyler Junior College Presidential Scholarship for Mathematics 1400 E. Fifth St., Tyler, Texas 75701. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

John Wheat

September 17, 1937 - March 3, 2007