Search by Name

Search by Name

Rickey Gene Wheeler

1961 - 2017

Rickey Gene Wheeler obituary, 1961-2017, Denison, TX

BORN

1961

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Waldo Funeral Home - Sherman

619 N. Travis St.

Sherman, Texas

Rickey Wheeler Obituary

After fighting a courageous battle with an aggressive form of cancer, Rickey Gene Wheeler passed away into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ on December 13, 2017.
Rickey was born on March 20, 1961 in Durant, Oklahoma to Bill and Genette Wheeler. He was raised in Denison, Texas. He graduated from Denison High School and attended Grayson County College. In 1983, Rickey joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa and was honorably discharged in 1987.
Rickey returned to Denison, working in the industrial sector. Following in the footsteps of his mentor, Y.Q. Tillery, he followed his passion for law and order and in 1992, he began his career at the Grayson County Sheriff's Office in Detention as a Detention Officer where he was assigned to the GCSO Special Response Team. Rickey subsequently moved to Dispatch. In 1994, he moved to Patrol where he helped the office use seizure funds to secure its first K-9 Officer, Arty. Rickey and Arty became GCSO's first K-9 team and worked together for five years. Then in 1997, he was promoted to Sergeant and moved to the Narcotics Division. He got his second K-9 partner Aks in June 1999. Following that, in 2004, Rickey was assigned the role of Assistant Public Information Officer. In 2006, he assumed the role of Sergeant over two divisions, Narcotics and Criminal Investigations. In 2009, he was selected as the Commander of the Special Response Team. In 2010, Rickey became the full time Public Information Officer. In 2012, he was promoted to Lieutenant over two divisions, Criminal Investigation and Narcotics Investigation. In 2014, he became the Lieutenant over the Enforcement Division, which includes Patrol. Rickey was promoted in 2016 to the rank of Captain in Charge of the Enforcement Bureau overseeing the following divisions: Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, and Patrol.
Rickey had a special place in his heart for the needs of children which is reflected by his service to our community. He served on several non-profit boards, including the Grayson County Crisis Center, Grayson County Children's Advocacy Center, the House of Eli, and was a mentor to students at Fairview Elementary School with the Sherman Independent School District. Rickey enjoyed giving back to the community that had given so much to him.
When he wasn't volunteering or working, you could most likely find Rickey on the golf course, his other passion. He always enjoyed playing rounds of golf with his friends and in 2008, his team was eligible to compete in the NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf Tournament held in Carlsbad, California that bene-fitted local children's charities. His love of sports did not stop there. He loved the Denison Yellow Jackets and was a die hard Oklahoma Sooners fan. Boomer Sooner!
While he had many passions in life, none so dear to his heart as his love for God; his wife, Laura; and his children, Drew and Ben. In addition to his wife and his children, Rickey is survived by his parents; his sister, Sherry and her husband John Stovall of Sherman; father and mother-in-law, Mark and Diane Gibson of Sherman; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Bre Gibson of Plano; and many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his love for his many friends who cherish and admire him. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
The family extends their deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all in the Grayson County community who showed their love and support for Rickey and the entire Wheeler family during this difficult time. Your support was truly overwhelming to him.
Rickey had a zest for life. His quick wit, sense of humor, and dedication to law enforcement and community service will be missed by all who knew and loved him but will live on in his children, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Sherman, Bobby Hancock, Mike Lawson, and Steve Rice officiating. Burial to follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Denison, Texas. Visitation will be held Friday, December 15, 2017 from 5 to 8 pm at Waldo Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Rickey Wheeler Scholarship Fund benefitting law enforcement officers at Landmark Bank or the Grayson County Children's Advocacy Center.
The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.
[]

Published by The Herald Democrat from Dec. 15 to Dec. 16, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Rickey Wheeler

Sponsored by Waldo Funeral Home - Sherman.

Not sure what to say?





I worked with Ricky for many years. After I went from the Grayson Sheriff reserves to full time I was very fortunate to work with him. He was my corporal for a while. I will miss him. Great man.
John Pearson

John Pearson

December 18, 2017

I had the honor and pleasure of living next door to the Wheeler's on Sidney St. in Denison. Many a football game was played on that street with my brothers Mark and Alan with my. Best friends Danny Lilly and Wayne Murphy. His parents and sister are Great people. I share their
Lose. I loved Ricky like one of my own brothers.

David Riddle
Frankfort, KY

December 16, 2017

My husband and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Wheeler's family and friends. May he rest in peace and may his loved ones find peace in knowing that he is now in the arms of our Lord and Savior. God Bless you all.

Ken and Sheri Ferguson

December 15, 2017

Praying for the family at this difficult time. Sending much love your way.... Doris Cavazos

December 15, 2017

I will never forget Ricky. It was 30 years ago I knew him through a friend. I ask him to speak to my daughter because she was having issues. He ttalked with her and it really helped, I will never ever forget him. he was a blessing. I know he's in heaven because he was a angel on earth. May God bless his family and friends . DeDee Blakley

DeDee Blakley

December 15, 2017

Rickey was a very special man who never met a stranger. I was blessed to play golf with him on the Denison High School golf team. We always had fun on the golf course! And off the course... Rickey was good friends with Ronnie Talley and they were always playing jokes on us and Coach Ozzie Davis. One time we left Denison C.C. and Rickey and Ronnie were in Rickey's car and Glen Walter and me in Glen's
little red car. Rickey left first and hid his car behind the railroad bridge. So when Glen and I drove under the bridge Rickey took off behind us and scared us that Glen plowed thru Hitchcock's fence. Rickey ran up to our car to see if we were hurt. Of course we acted like we were! So the next day all of us had to fix the fence in the cold! This is just one of many memories. When I drive by that spot I just smile. Rickey, thanks for the memories. God Bless You and your family. Peace be with you my friend.

Gayle Frietsch Radican

Gayle Frietsch Radican

December 15, 2017

I haven't seen Rickey since he grow up and married, but I remember him as a sweet little boy. My sympathy to his Family and to his Mom & Dad & Sister. I have never lost a child, so I can only imagine the the heart ache. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Betty Miller

Family

December 14, 2017

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Rickey Wheeler's name

Memorial Events
for Rickey Wheeler

Dec

15

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Waldo Funeral Home - Sherman

619 N. Travis St., Sherman, TX 75090

Dec

16

Funeral service

1:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church

Sherman, TX

Dec

16

Burial

Fairview Cemetery

Denison, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Waldo Funeral Home - Sherman

619 N. Travis St., Sherman, TX 75090

How to support Rickey's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Rickey Wheeler's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more