Gary Wheeler

Gary Edward Wheeler

June 25, 1948 ~ July 12, 2015

Husband, daddy, papa, brother and friend to all, Gary Edward Wheeler returned home to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father after a hard fought battle with heart disease on Sunday, July 12, 2015.

Gary was born to Eunice (Maloney) and Clifford Wheeler in Malad, Idaho on June 25, 1948.

He served honorably as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army for six years including a tour in the Vietnam War.

He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Weber State University. He retired as a CPA & contract administrator for Management and Training Corporation after 21 years.

He met the love of his life in June 1982 and they were married later that year in October. He was brave enough to take on five children and raise them as his own and the family was sealed in the Ogden Utah LDS Temple on September 30, 1983. He was fortunate enough to adopt the youngest two in 1990.

Despite his earthly struggles, he would often say “I’ve never had a sick day in my life”, even during his numerous hospital stays. His quick wit was loved by all. He loved to make people laugh, play jokes and did so at every chance he got. He was always the best example of taking care of others. He put his family’s needs miles ahead of his own, right until the end by praying for them to be comforted and reassuring them that all will be ok. His knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was felt strongly as he shared his testimony, in his final moments.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his grandchildren Avery L. Clifford and Samuel Lincoln Strong and his son in law Benjamin Miller. He is survived by his wife Sandy (Porter), his brother Cliff (Jan) Wheeler, his sister Dorothy (Ken) Johnson, his children Robert (Kristina) Earle, Jeannie Miller, Kassi Clifford, Brittany (Jeremy) Strong, and Brooke (Mark) Jensen, 23 grandchildren and great grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews whom he treated as his own.

The family would like to thank the U of U Heart Transplant Team and the many doctors and nurses that cared for him at the VA hospital and University hospital for countless hours with the utmost care.

This amazing man touched many hearts and lives and a part of our hearts went with him, he will never be forgotten.

This lifelong battle has finally been won, “The Daddy (truly) loves the Mommy most.”

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2015 at the West Point 16th Ward Chapel, 4383 West 300 North. The family will meet with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evening at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and Friday from 9: 45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Intermountain Donor Services (yesutah.org) or the George E. Wahlen Veterans Medical Center in Salt Lake City.