David Vincent Wheeler Sr.

1941 - 2016

Mr. David Vincent Wheeler, Sr., 74, of Belmont, NC passed away in the afternoon, Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia, NC.

Born in Charlotte, NC in 1941, he was the second child of the late Howard A. "Humpy" Wheeler, Sr. and Kathleen Dobbins Wheeler. Known as a true competitor throughout his life, he was a standout three-sport athlete at Belmont High School winning the Breeland Award as MVP in football. David continued on to Fork Union Military Academy in VA achieving all-state honors as a linebacker. He began his college career by accepting a full football scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his education at Belmont Abbey College. David continued to enjoy athletic competition throughout his life, while competing in the US Masters Track and Field Senior Games and being inducted in the Belmont Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

His greatest passion in life was his family, but not far behind was his love of coaching. He began his coaching career at the Charlotte and Gastonia Boys Clubs. For over 14 years he coached three sports and taught physical education at Charlotte Country Day School.

For almost 30 years, he enjoyed a successful career at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After retiring, he loved his part-time job at the Stowe Family YMCA of Belmont, but never considered it work because of the great people he came into contact with each day.

Known for being a people person, David would do anything possible to help anyone who asked. He would never forget a name or face. David was always there to lift you up and give you encouragement with his magnetic personality and intelligent wit. Like his favorite Uncle Roger, he was known to share colorful nicknames with those he loved and cared for and many of you are still known by that nickname.

David was very devoted to his Catholic faith and was a member of Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church of Belmont.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Suzanne Weeks Wheeler of Belmont, his daughter, Suzy Wheeler Molihan and her husband Zac of Mount Holly, his sons David V. Wheeler, Jr. of Belmont and Daniel James Wheeler of Mount Holly, his brother, Howard A. "Humpy" Wheeler, Jr. and his wife Pat of Huntersville, his sisters, Mary Wheeler Plexico and her husband Lowry of Columbia, SC, Angie Wheeler and her wife Janet Jones of Charlotte, beloved granddaughter Maggie Anne Molihan, as well as 9 nephews and 7 nieces.

The family will receive friends and family at McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, Friday, April 29th, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Belmont Abbey Basilica, Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at 3:00pm with Father James Solari as concelebrant. A reception will follow the Mass. Interment will be privately held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the Wheeler family requests donations be made to the Stowe Family YMCA, Scholarship Fund for Summer Camps, 196 YMCA Drive, Belmont, NC 28012 or to Holy Angels PO Box 710, Belmont, NC 28012, www.holyangelsnc.org.

2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Condolence messages and remembrances may be shared with his family at www.McLeanFuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is serving the family of Mr. Wheeler.