James Wheeler

Dr. James D. Wheeler passed away peacefully Thursday, November 10, 2011 at his residence surrounded by family members after a long courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Stella, MO March 1,1936 the son of the late Mr. Houston Wheeler and the late Mrs. Dorothy Tanner Wheeler. He was a 1954 graduate of Midway High School in Stark City, MO. After graduation he moved to Tulsa, OK where he worked four years for Pure Oil Company and Sinclair Oil and Gas. In 1958 he enrolled in the Pre-Med Program at Oklahoma State University after one year he transferred to North Eastern State University in Tahlequah, OK where he finished his Pre-Med training. In 1962 Dr. Wheeler was accepted at the Kansas City Osteopathic Medical School. He graduated with a degree in Osteopathic Medicine in 1966, he then interned at the Charles E. Still Hospital in Jefferson City, MO. He also trained in 1967-1968 in the area of psychiatry at the Fulton State Psychiatric Hospital. He entered family practice in 1968 in Vienna, MO and practiced family medicine there until 1974, he also covered small town hospital emergency rooms two weekends a month until the late 90’s. In 1974 Dr. Wheeler moved to OK and established a family practice in Catoosa, OK until 1993, when he established a new family practice after being employed by Doctors Hospital. In 1999 Dr Wheeler was diagnosed with prostate cancer at which time he retired from family practice for one year. After his year of retirement he returned to the medical field, until his retirement in November of 2009 as a Locum Tenems physician who covers other doctors practices. He practiced in Bremen, GA from 2008-2009. Dr. Wheeler enjoyed riding with the Georgia State Patrol and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. He was an avid antique collector who loved hot rods. After 54 years of bachelorhood, in 1990 Dr. Wheeler married his Georgia sweetheart, Jeani.The family would like to acknowledge the doctors and staff of Tanner Hospice of Villa Rica, Dr. Pierce and Staff, Dr. McLaughlin and Staff, Dr. Bland and Staff for all your professional loving care. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Jean “Jeani” Wheeler of Villa Rica; two step-sons and their wives, Christopher and Nicole Hall of Douglasville, Craig and Beth Hall of Atlanta; mother-in-law, Elsie Bender of Chester, PA; brother-in-law, John Bender of Garnet Valley, PA; three grandchildren, Nicolas Hall of Douglasville, Lexie and Max Hall of Atlanta; two nieces Jaclyn and Carly Bender of Garnet Valley, PA. Several extended family members also survive.The family will receive friends at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home of Villa Rica Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the chapel of Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Villa Rica with Dr. Billy Godwin officiating. Interment will follow at Meadowbrook Memory Gardens in Villa Rica. In lieu of flowers the family ask that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Inc., Cremation Services and Memorial Gardens in Villa Rica in charge of arrangements. 770-459-3694