Extracted from The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Sunday, March 17, 2002

James A. Wheeler

Jackson

James A. Wheeler, 81, a retired insurance executive, died Saturday morning March 16, 2002, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Visitation is 12 noon until time of service at St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon at the Cathedral with committal in the Cathedral Columbarium. Mark Seepe Funeral Home & Crematorium of Jackson is handling arrangements.

A native of Laurel, Mr. Wheeler lived in Jackson since 1966. A retired Lt. Colonel, he served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean Conflict with a total of twelve years of active duty and an additional ten years as Air Force Academy Liaison Officer in the Air Force Reserve. he [sic He] was also a retired Colonel of the Mississippi Guard.

he [sic He] received his degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and expressed his dedication to the University by serving as one of the founding members of the Board of Trustees of the USM Foundation. He was recognized in 1991 with induction into the USM Alumni Hall of Fame.

A devoted churchman and community member, he taught Sunday School and served on the vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church, Laurel, was twice elected President of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce, and served as president of the Laurel Red Cross. He was named Boss of the Year by the Insurance Women of Jackson in 1980; was recognized as Board Member Emeritus by the Kidney Foundation of Miss. after serving several terms as president and many years of [sic on] the Board of Directors. He was honored with the Trustees Award after twelve years on the Board of National Kidney Foundation, Inc. He was a member of the Country Club of Jackson, University Club, Capitol Club, Hundred Club of Jackson, Twenty-One Club, Friends of the IBC, supporter of the Miss. Symphony and other local art groups.

His parents, John Smith and Hattie Catherine (Mimi) McDaniel Wheeler and his brother, John Hardric Wheeler, preceded him in death.

His wife of 53 years, Genie Moore Wheeler; daughter, Cynthia W. Temples; son-in-law, John Pat Temples III; granddaughters, Mary-Baldwin Temples and Claire Wheeler Temples, all of Tyler, Texas; and cousin Lane Lockhart of Lyn Haven, Florida survive him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Mississippi or a favorite charity.