James Michael Wheeler

1949 - 2024

Born in Detroit, Michigan to Edgar and Vivian Wheeler, Jim (Jimmy) grew up in Royal Oak Michigan along with his six brothers and sisters. Graduating in 1968 from George A. Dondero High School, this is where he would meet his first wife Deborah Vanarsdel. They would go on to have a daughter named Joyce. The demands of young love would prove too much, and they eventually parted ways. After a few years of working in the auto industry in Detroit, Jim headed out West to California, where he remained until his passing. California is where he met his second wife, Jean Jarvis, the love of his life and her young daughter Stephanie. They remained married for 38 years until Jean's passing in 2020. A well-loved and respected painter in the Napa Valley for over 40 years, Jim and his crew painted countless wineries and houses. He finally retired in 2015 at the age of 65 due to health issues.

He had quite a few passions over his lifetime. He was a champion at showing and raising canaries and finches with his father when he was a young man. His love of fishing at Hat Creek Resort near Mount Lassen would bring his family here every summer. This is where his Grandson Nicholas Hough would learn his love of fishing and go on to start his own fishing guide service named "Hooked Guide Service ". Jimmy also loved reading books and was an avid collector of books on history and historical figures. He loved the History channel, the weather channel and cowboy movies and shows. He knew all the cowboy shows and probably watched every one 1000 times over! Jimmy and Jean loved visiting Fort Bragg and the Northern California coast, and of course enjoyed a good cocktail! Attending Burning Man was top on his list, he and Jean bought an RV and attended the event four times. Jimmy was an avid gardener and loved visiting nurseries, planting gardens, tending to his fruit trees and collected cactus his entire life. He passed on these many passions to his family, particularly his green thumb.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Vivian, his brother Larry and his wife Jean. He is survived by his daughters Joyce Hough and Stephanie Jarvis, his son in law Jim Hough, grandchildren Nicholas and Holly, and their spouses Brittany and Shane. Six great grandchildren; Mason, Payton, Hailey, Boston, Maverick and Noah. His brothers Tom and David, sisters Trudy, Mary, and Janet and their spouses Dan, Joe and Jeff, also countless nieces and nephews. Jimmy will be remembered by many as a legendary grandfather with a legendary mustache! A man who was tougher than titanium, a man with an impeccable memory of every little detail of his life an old hippie at heart who will be so greatly missed. Rest easy now.