Dean Wheeler

James Dean Wheeler, 43, of Lorena passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at a local hospital.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the Moody High School Gymnasium with the Rev. Marvin Donnell officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco.

Dean was born on November 15, 1962 in Waco to James V. and Minnie Wheeler. He married the love of his life, Penny Parsons, on February 27, 1987 in Waco.

He grew up in Waco and began his athletic career in the Lake Air Little League and Lake Air Pee Wee Football. He continued to play in Little League including Southern Little League and Little League Baseball All Stars.

He began playing middle school football for Lake Air Middle School in the 7th grade and continued his athletic endeavors into high school. He attended University High School, Robinson high School, and graduated from Jefferson Moore High School in 1981.

He was a talented athlete, playing football and baseball throughout his high school career.

He graduated from Tarleton State University and began coaching at Calvert where he stayed two years, G.L. Wiley Middle School in Waco for two years and had been at Moody ISD for the past ten years.

Dean had coached numerous sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball and track. He was a member of the Texas High School Coach's Association.

Dean was a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, and well respected coach. He has continued to use his talents and athletic ability to touch the lives of his students making a difference in their lives.

Dean also continued to use his gifts and love of athletics with his three children, participating in softball, baseball, basketball as well as other sports.

He was preceded in death by his father, James V. Wheeler, and his mother-in-law, Joyce Parsons.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Wheeler of Lorena; children, Westly, Lauren and Whitney Wheeler, of Lorena; mother, Minnie Wheeler of Waco; grandmother, Gladys Veracruz of Lott; sister, Debbie Wheeler Winkler and her husband, David of Giddings; sister-in-law, Donna Whatley and husband, Bob of Hewitt; brother-in-law, Ray Parsons and wife, Randi of Waco; father-in-law, Don Parsons of Waco; nieces, Kim Whatley and Renae Parsons; and nephew, Ryan Parson.

Pallbearers will be Robert Chamliss, Bill Bales, C.J. Wilk, Chuck Oplie, Gary Sutherland, Coz Martinez, Gary Pryor, Robert Fogle, Tim Bates, and Michael Balberrama.

Honorary pallbearers will be the coaches, athletic staff, teachers, administrators and employees of the Moody ISD.

The family gives special thanks to all the friends and staff at Moody ISD, and the wonderful communities of Moody and Lorena, for all the prayers and support.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Educators Credit Union Scholarship Fund for the Children of Dean Wheeler, P.O. Box 20728, Waco, Tx. 76702.