Harold Wheeler

Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been. Harold “Harry” L. Wheeler was a lifelong Odessa resident, who spent his 68 years on this earth living and enjoying life to the fullest. Those who knew him remember him spinning around town in his teal-colored PT Cruiser, adorned with stickers of his favorite band, The Grateful Dead, and his favorite animal, the armadillo. His collection of armadillo souvenirs filled the entire den of his home. A loyal OHS Broncho, who played coronet in the school band, he graduated in 1967. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served in Texas, Nebraska, and Thailand from 1967-1972. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged. After his military service, he returned to Odessa where he joined his father in the family business, D&W Plumbing. In 1993, after his father retired the company, he worked at Odessa College for the next 18 years as the plumbing/HVAC supervisor at the physical plant, on campus. Harry was an avid word games fan, billiards player, and angler – although the number of fish he actually caught is still up for debate in family circles. When Alzheimer’s disease began to rob him of his memories, he continued to respond to the love of his life, for the past 48 years, his wife, Mary. Harry passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in Odessa. He is survived by his wife, Mary Sigmon Wheeler of Odessa, TX; son, Bryan (Lisa) Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter, Candice Wheeler Grundy (Russel) of Round Rock, Texas; mother, Dot Wheeler; brother, Willie Wheeler; sister, Debbie Wheeler-Jackson (Shawn); and niece, Sarah Jackson, all of Odessa. He is preceded in death by his father, Gene Wheeler. Abiding by his wishes, Harry made it clear that he did not want a funeral or memorial, so in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association. Cranking up some Grateful Dead would be cool, too. Arrangements are entrusted to American Heritage Cemetery/Funeral Home/Crematory. Keep on truckin’, Harry. Truckin' got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin', like the do-dah man Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin' on.

Tributes

Harold Wheeler

September 8, 1948 - April 25, 2017