Ronnie Gene Wheeler

Ronnie Gene Wheeler, affectionately  known as 'pawpaw' entered the gates of God on June 29", 2024. An artist, poet, singer, loving and tireless Husband, Father, and Grandfather. He was a steady rock, friend, and provider to so many throughout his life. Born to Lynn Elwood and Donna Jean Wheeler on October 29"", 1948, in Massillon Ohio along with his two siblings Dawn Wheeler-Clay (1953) and William Wheeler (1946). 

In 1961 his family moved from Ohio to Oklahoma. In 1964 he would meet his wife of 57 years, Dee Ann Houser, in Sapulpa Oklahoma and in 1967 they would marry in Huntsville Arkansas. In 1968 Ron and Dee then moved to North Texas where he would begin his career at the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. Shortly thereafter, during the Vietnam War, he was drafted by the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany as a Helicopter Flight Maintenance Engineer. The following year he reenlisted to the front lines and deployed to Cu Chi Vietnam where he was a member of the 2n Battalion, 27" Infantry as a helicopter crew chief. 

In 1969 during an in-flight mission, his friend and door gunner Fred would be mortally wounded by enemy fire. Ron, to keep his friend from falling from the Huey, would grab Fred whose lifeless body would pull them both out and they would fall over sixty feet to the ground. He would awaken at military hospital in Yokohama Japan, where he slowly recovered from his injuries and would be permanently retired from the US Army. Ron was awarded a Purple Heart for the combat related injuries that he would carry with him for the rest of his life. 

In 1970 he returned to the United States and reunited with his wife and family. He would then continue his career at General Motors, starting on the assembly line and was promoted to an advanced planning coordinator over the next 25 years 

In 1974 he would welcome his only child, Eric, into the world. He prioritized being a father, spending hours of time on fishing trips or restoring classic cars all while bestowing an untold amount of life experiences and knowledge to his Son. 

He would finally retire from General Motors in the early nineties, but Ron could not remain idle. Even while pursuing his career at General Motors, Ron would be an accomplished handyman and carpenter in his spare time. Once freed from the demanding workload at GM, Ron would then follow his passion of artist creation through carpentry full-time, where he amassed many life-long clients whom he considered his friends. 

He later discovered his passion for singing in 2002 where he was a member of the Fort Worth Stockyards Opry, where he spent many hours on stage entertaining others. Ron genuinely loved making others smile through his singing and other antics 

In 2010 Ron and Dee would pick up their lifelong roots and relocated to Evergreen Colorado to begin a new chapter of being Grandparents to their Grandchildren Mazzy and Ashton Wheeler, whom he adored. In his spare time, he by himself transformed his new mountain house into a beautiful home. 

His life was tragically cut short on June 29", 2024. 

He is preceded in death by Father Elwood Lynn Wheeler and Mother Donna Jean Wheeler. He is survived by his wife Dee, Son Eric, Daughter in-law Tracy, Grandchildren Mazzy and Ashton Wheeler, Sister Dawn, Brother William Sr, and his dear friends. Ron is also survived by his countless nieces and nephews whom he loved and always considered his own. 

He will be forever missed by all whom he touched during his life. His memory shall live forever in our hearts. 

Ron was a patriot and adamant defender of democracy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the non-partisan Vote.org vote.org or The American Fallen Solders Project americanfallensoldiers.com