Marion H. Wheeler Jr.

Funeral service for Marion H. Wheeler Jr., age 80 of Yorba Linda, California will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at East Caney Baptist Church. Interment will follow at East Caney Cemetery with Bryan Kendrick, Rodney Johnson, Adrian Golden, Joey Stephens, Nathaniel McAllister, Keyvon Poole, D’Vaugnte Johnson, and Kevin Spain serving as pallbearers. James Emanuel, James Chance, Benjamin Hodge III, Joseph Thomas, Julius Armstrong, Tyrone Daniels, and Tony Wheeler will be serving as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

A man who finds and fulfills his purpose during his lifetime is truly blessed. Such a man was Marion Holland Dexter Wheeler, Jr. He was primed to become a champion of the underdog, a soldier fighting on behalf of his people. In 1962 Marion journeyed with his parents, Reverend Marion H. Wheeler, Sr. and Nora Lee Wheeler (“Ma Dea”), to witness the historic March on Washington, headlined by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering the renowned “I Have A Dream “speech. The passion of the determined crowd, the majesty of the esteemed speakers, and soul stirring music delivered by icons, including gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, lit a fire of hope in Marion’s heart that burned brightly until the Master called Marion home on October 8, 2025.

Throughout his eighty years of life Marion supported worthy causes, especially those aimed at uplifting his people. He was instrumental in creating a scholarship program for youth within the Wheeler family. He helped develop the infrastructure for the scholarship program and gave generously to fund the cause.

Family was what fueled Marion’s engine. He always looked forward to attending Wheeler and Lee family reunions. Marion revered his ancestors, especially the brazen courage of his grandfather, Eli Wheeler, renowned for his physical courage in the face of racial violence and animosity and the nobility and business skills of Charles Lee (“Papa Charlie”) who was highly respected and prospered in the segregated South at a time of great adversity. In business matters, Marion often asked himself, “What would Papa Charlie do?” before making a move. In 1965 Papa Charlie, together with a group of Black businessmen, purchased land and playground equipment for the benefit of African American children because White city leaders banned “colored” children from use of the public parks. Pacific Park exists in Sulphur Springs, Texas to this day.

During times of crisis Marion leaned on lessons learned from his family. It was no coincidence that Marion transitioned from a promising career as a corporate attorney for Ford Motor Company to work as a Public Defender in Orange County, California. His friends from the corporate world were baffled by the change. Those who knew Marion’s family history saw the change as a man stepping into the path paved by his ancestors and ordered for him by God.

As a Public Defender, Marion was often tasked with representing people shunned by society and facing serious criminal charges. He drew upon the example set by his father, who helped people regardless of their station in life or their guilt or innocence. “Treat them all the same,” was the lesson taught by his father, a prominent community activist. When people found themselves in trouble or on the wrong side of the law and lacking resources, Marion’s father was the one they called on for help.

The seeds had been planted. At Ford Motor Company Marion spearheaded a group of Black employees who organized a Black History celebration, a major accomplishment within a corporate institution saddled with a history of racism and discrimination. Marion was a principal organizer and the first President of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association, a group of attorneys dedicated to equal justice in the legal system. Later in private practice Marion established a sterling reputation as a criminal defense attorney. His clients loved the fervor with which he approached every case and Marion’s diligence in fighting for their freedom and sometimes their life.

Born in Henderson, Texas, February 9, 1945, the son of a Baptist preacher and his wife, Marion transcended his humble beginnings. He met and modeled his style of dress after the distinguished men of the clergy that his father introduced him to. One morning Marion awakened to see Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. standing in the living room of the modest church parsonage where the Wheeler family dwelled. At age sixteen, funded by dollar, nickel and dime donations from church members and neighbors, Marion traveled to Germany as an exchange student. It was his first plane ride, first trip out of the country and the beginning of a lifelong thirst for travel.

Marion earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech, military science, and English from Western Michigan University where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Upon graduation Marion’s passport to the world was issued when he joined the United States Army where he attained the rank of Captain. Marion loved being a soldier. He loved marching, commanding troops, living in foreign countries, seeing the world.

After serving three years in the Army, Marion applied to law school and was accepted at the University of California, Boalt Hall, now known as Berkeley Law. At Berkeley Law Marion earned more than a law degree. He met and married the love of his life, Amanda Renee Green. “For better or worse, in sickness and in health” they journeyed together for fifty years. Their union was blessed by the birth of two children, Damon Emerson Wheeler, who died in infancy, and Nigel Kali Green Wheeler, who despite his earlier declaration that he would never become a lawyer, is the General Counsel for the North Carolina Hurricanes hockey team. Marion and Amanda have been blessed beyond measure by the birth of three grandchildren, Emerson, Sebastian and Callahan.

Marion’s background in speech paved his way as a sought-after public speaker. He delivered messages to diverse civic organizations and, not surprisingly, from church pulpits.

Marion was no stranger to radical moves. In the mid-1980’s he launched RAZZ RECORDS and promoted many acts, including violinist Noel Pointer, The SOS Band, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes and hosted rapper Young MC, pop sensation Stacy Q and various bands. Marion was more than a music promoter. He embraced music in many forms. His favorite genre was Bay Area Funk, personified by Sly and The Family Stone. The needle of his 1970’s turn table wore down the grooves of “I Wanna Take You Higher”, “Dance to The Music”, and “It’s A Family Affair”.

Marion was a gifted singer and exuberant dancer. High energy was his middle name. He ran marathons, swam for hours, biked two hundred miles round trip between Yorba Linda and San Diego, hiked foothills in Palm Springs, had a brief stint as a student of polo, and took on athletic challenges just because he could. Marion’s true love was horseback riding, which he enjoyed on the Lee-Lowe family farm in East Caney, Texas.

Marion has been called to soldier in the Army of the Lord. Marion was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Duncan. He will forever be missed by his devoted wife Amanda, son Nigel, daughter-in-law Alexandra, three grandchildren, his sister Birdena Kendrick and her husband Carl Kendrick, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and devoted friends.

When life and time took its toll on his athletic pursuits Marion soldiered on-bobbing his head and hunching his shoulders to the beat of his old school music. March on, Christian Soldier. March on.