Ronald Elmo "Ronnie" Wheeler

Ronald (Ronnie) E. Wheeler, 77, of Poteet, Texas, passed away on September 29, 2025, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was a devoted husband to Linda and loving father to Travis, Rhonda, and Stacy Wheeler.

Born in Pleasanton, Texas, on October 20, 1947, he was the son of Kenneth Royal Wheeler and Alva Willie McCullough Wheeler. He graduated from Poteet High School in Poteet, Texas, and earned a Football Scholarship to Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville). When he discovered that football would interfere with his time spent earning his education, he decided to transfer to Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas. Working his way through college, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, specializing in Accounting. Upon graduating, he worked for GMAC and then went on to become an Accountant for Community Realty Company. That provided an opportunity at age 28 to become Manager of Wonderland Mall (now Wonderland of the Americas) in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1975, he decided to leave the city and move his family back home to the country where he grew up. He became a Farmer/Rancher, following in the footsteps of his father and his father-in-law, Kenneth Hoffman. From there he started a highly successful farming business, Wheeler Farm, growing peanuts, strawberries, cayenne pepper (with over 1 million pounds shipped to New Iberia, LA in 1989), as well as blackberries, cherry tomatoes, and various other produce. Along with his father-in-law, and wife's uncle (Glenn Hoffman) a contract with H-E-B to supply strawberries for their Creamy Creations Poteet Strawberry ice cream, began and they were the sole suppliers of strawberries with Ronnie eventually becoming the only supplier until 2015 when he retired from farming. He then focused his efforts on his cattle operation and growing his herd of Brangus cattle.

Starting in 1978 he began entering his strawberries into the annual Poteet Strawberry Festival's strawberry judging contest. His strawberries won many awards including numerous Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors. In 1999 he was awarded Strawberry Grower of the Year. Ronnie never wanted to be in the spotlight and was never in it for the awards. He was most interested in building a successful business and continuing the traditions of what made Poteet the Strawberry Capital of Texas.

Ronnie was a member of First Methodist Church of Poteet, the church in which he grew up and married Linda, the love of his life, and together they raised their family in this same church. He will be remembered as a man of unwavering integrity, honesty, generosity, hard work, leadership, and love for his family. He was also very witty and quite a jokester. His laughter and wisdom were gifts to everyone who knew him.

In the words of one of his grandsons, Austin, he represents what a good man, husband, father, and grandfather should be. He impacted him tremendously as a role model and inspired him to be a better person.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Hoffman Wheeler of Poteet, Texas, son, Travis Wheeler of New Braunfels, Texas, daughters, Rhonda Wheeler Carter (Brian) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Stacy Wheeler (Nickey) of Nederland, Texas; Sisters, Linda Wheeler Bennett (Jim) and Pamela Wheeler Curran, both of San Antonio, Texas; Grandchildren, Austin, Katie, and Kyle (Travis), Haden and Jack (Rhonda), Reese and Devin (Stacy) and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Royal Wheeler and Alva Willie McCullough Wheeler; brothers Kenneth Alonzo (Lonnie) Wheeler and Joe Roy Wheeler; and grandson Shawn Wheeler Aycock.

All services will be held at Hurley Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Texas starting with a Visitation on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with family present from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, and a funeral service on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Anchorage Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Methodist Church of Poteet - P.O. Box 307, Poteet, TX 78065-0307.

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