Gene Allen Wheeler, 76, died Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Family Visitation will be held Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, 420 West Liveoak Street, Kenedy, TX 78119. Services will be Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10AM at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 590 West State Hwy 72, Kenedy, TX 78119 with the Rev. Walter Schievelbein officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Pawnee Cemetery.

Gene was born on July 17, 1947, in San Angelo, TX, the son of Charles M. Wheeler and Lena L. Musgrove Wheeler. He spent most of his childhood in San Angelo, moving to Dallas as a young teenager and graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School. He was always busy and enjoyed racing motorcycles in his teen years.

“Wheeler”, as he was referred to by friends, served his country during the Vietnam War by enlisting in the US Navy. He completed electrical school while in the Navy. He served for four years, earning an honorable discharge. After discharge he began his career as a telephone lineman with Southwestern Bell Telephone.  He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for over 25 years.

Gene loved hunting, farming, animals, and boating. He loved participating in boat races on Town Lake in Austin during his early adult years. He was a friend to all and enjoyed his time with those he held dear. Most recently he was enjoying his retirement tending to the cows and hay fields on the family farm in Kenedy with his wife Jamie.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jimmy Wheeler. Survivors include his wife, Jamie Wheeler of Kenedy; Son Ryan Jenschke of Fredericksburg; four daughters, Kelsey Jenschke of Buda, Codie Prinz of Salado, Brodi Volek of Round Rock, and Jodi Shannon of Buda; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; one sister, Trish Hutto of San Antonio.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Jenschke, Nathan Pickell, Ronnie Dee Lieke, David Randig, Robert Hutto, Bryan Hutto, Troy Clark and Tommy Prinz. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Norman Johnson and Linda Wheeler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations go to the University Health Transplant Institute, 4502 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229.