Roll Call Tribute

Serenity Funeral Home obituary

Richard Don Wheeler
June 4, 1938 - August 31, 2014

Richard Don Wheeler (76) passed away peacefully on August 31, 2014 after a valiant struggle with lymphatic cancer. His last days were spent encircled in a legacy of love, with his beloved children, grandchildren, dear friends and unseen angels watching over him.
Rich was born June 4, 1938 in San Angelo, Texas as the fourth of Geneva Lea Alexander and Lawrence Dean Wheeler’s six children. He grew up in Texas during difficult economic times and worked hard as a boy to help the family survive. He still found ample time to make mischief with his brothers, from racing dump trucks like hot rods to setting fire to the garage, although he always maintained his innocence in that particular incident. Artistically and musically talented, one of his proudest high school achievements was leading the school marching band as drum major. After recovering from a serious farm accident, he grew into a striking and charismatic man, standing at 6’6’’ tall and known for his wit, intelligence, and strong independent streak. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. An avid lover of the outdoors, Rich ultimately completed a twenty-year career with the U.S. Forest Service as a landscape architect.
On October 17, 1961 Rich joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; a membership he cherished throughout his life. He married Beverly Ann McCarthy in 1963 in the Salt Lake Temple and together they reared nine children: Rebecca (Russ), Cynthia, Lara, Debbie (Bruce), Dean (Zina), Amy (Kelly), Kimberly (Jeff), Michael (Dana) and Jessica. They have 30 beautiful grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Grandpa Wheeler loved researching family history, performing temple work, camping with his family, and singing in choirs with his rich baritone voice. He played the flute, wrote poetry, gardened, juiced vegetables, and actively read self-help books. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and performed a number of speaking roles in small-budget Westerns, Church films, and made-for-TV movies. He was also a passionate design-builder of landscapes and structures, and enjoyed developing and restoring historical homes with the goal of self-sufficiency and ensuring the temporal welfare of his family. One of his final projects was the restoration of a pioneer home in Spring City, Utah, which he lovingly called Nickel Farm.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Rock Church (Spring City Ward Chapel), 164 S. Main, Spring City, Utah. A viewing will be held Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Ephraim Park Cemetery at 650 North Main Street, Ephraim, Utah.


HEARTWOOD

His mind, a fertile field for dreams,
with stride and reach, so long.
His noble heart grown strong and true,
Past pain, and frailty—beyond his breath.
His favored scent, the forest pines,
We lay him now beneath their roots.
With faith in Him, Who Rose Above.
A life work passed, now branches nine.
Our living arbor, his Legacy of Love.

~Michael Wheeler