Charles A. Wheeler

Charles A. "Charlie" Wheeler, age 74, a lifetime resident of Rankin passed away peacefully from this life surrounded by his family on December 31, 2009, after a courageous fight following an aortic aneurysm, at Midland Memorial Hospital's West Campus. Charles was born on Christmas day, December 25, 1935 in Rankin to parents Ross and Claudia "Dink" Wheeler. Charles was one of six siblings and the only one to be born in Rankin. He became a livestock truck driver at the age of 14 and worked to support his family after his father's heart attack . Charlie met the love of his life, Barbara Sue Odom in 1955 and their love and devotion to each other have served as a model for family and friends alike for over 54 years. Charlie and Barbara raised two sons in Rankin while they owned and operated several businesses, including Johnson's Department Store, where their family made friends with many people in the surrounding area. In the last few years, Charlie and Barbara have traveled extensively in their RV fifth wheel, and have taken two trips to Alaska, as well as Nova Scotia and practically everywhere in the continental United States. He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Rankin as well as by two sons and their wives, C. Mark and J'Lynn Newman Wheeler of Midland, and Rodd and Joan Brazil Wheeler, of Sweetwater. He is also survived by his two precious granddaughters, Melissa C. Wheeler, of St. Louis, Missouri and Laura Wheeler Wright and her husband, Jimmy Wright, of Midland. Paw Paw, as Charlie was known, is also survived by his two sweet great granddaughters, Anna Grace Wright and Megan Elise Wright, of Midland. Charlie is survived also by brothers Billy Ross Wheeler and wife, Juanita of Rankin; Bob Wheeler and wife, Julie of Ada, Oklahoma; Mike Wheeler and wife, Candy of Pflugerville, Texas; a sister, Elsie Sharon Coffee, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and by numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Cox N. Wheeler, of Rankin. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Rankin Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer Nichols Funeral Home of Crane. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to favorite charities.