Gary Wheeler, 67, of Iona, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, April 12, 2024, surrounded by love and the holy spirit.

Gary was born on July 20, 1956, in Bournemouth, England to John and Doris (Fletcher) Wheeler. They moved to the United States when Gary was 4. Gary graduated from Chatsworth High School in California.

Gary enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War Era. While in the Navy, he served as an Aviation boatswain's mate handling second class with the helicopter attack squadron on the USS Saratoga. Gary's superior officer in a performance review stated that while Gary's uniform sometimes wasn't as neat as it could be, Gary had an amazing sense of humor and knew how to laugh even when tired. Gary never lost his sense of humor and was known for making everyone laugh and feel his joy.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Gary joined the workforce as a welder. Gary later took that passion and decided to pursue a degree in higher education. He graduated with an AA degree from Mission College and then went on to get a technical teaching certificate for welding fabrication and became a teacher. Gary taught for over 30 years at Pierce College, North Valley Occupational, and Antelope Valley to name a few. During his career, Gary left a lasting impression on students because he cared about them as people as well as students; he was also a hard-working man who appreciated a strong work ethic in others and instilled those values in his students. He kept in contact with many of them until he passed. One student in particular was so close to him that he called Gary, dad, and Gary called him son. His name was Kevin and was fondly known as "Little Wheeler".

Gary met his wife Virginia in 2004 when he saw her ad for a motorcycle she was selling. The first time he saw her, Gary told Virginia that she had a glow around her and he knew he had to find a way to see her again and this started a beautiful friendship. They were friends for two years until Gary was saved in 2006 when he felt the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time. Gary was a nobleman and always did what was morally correct; especially after he was saved. Shortly after Gary and Virginia's relationship became so much more and they were married on July 10, 2006, by Pastor Brewer in their backyard in Quartz Hill, CA.

Gary's life was spent going on one adventure after another. He was an avid Hunter who used a bow, shotgun, and rifle. He would compete in archery competitions and loved hunting both big game and birds. Gary was also a fisherman. Over the years he shared

many adventures on the lake with his wife Virginia fishing because she shared his passion as well. When he wasn't hunting or fishing Gary was restoring his vintage and antique Harleys from the ground up. Gary would scour junk yards and swap meets to find all the parts to restore them as close to the original as possible. His wife, Virginia, was always in awe of her husband's abilities at building and fixing things.

Gary suffered from health issues the last few years of his life and he and his wife moved to Idaho to be closer to their family. Family has always been important to Gary and when he married Virginia he embraced them with open arms. He was lovingly known as Gruncle. He was a family man and opened his home to everyone.

Gary is survived by his wife, Virginia "Aunt Cookie" Wheeler; sister-in-laws: Veronica (Todd) Holverson and Virlynnia (David) Quesenberry; brother-in-law, Michael Flynn; stepdaughter, Susan (Duffy) Lektorich; stepgrandsons: Dylan and Rowan; nieces and nephews: Kurt (Kim) McCorkle, Angela (Ron) Lewis, Chuckie (Nora) Baldwin, La Donna McCollum, Christopher (Frannie) Baldwin, La Randa Meyer, Jessica (CJ) Whisenhunt, and Tayler Chalupa. He had many other great nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and who loved him.

The family will be having a celebration of life in August and the date will be announced after everything has been finalized.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., May 10, 2024, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 2651 Cromwell Lane, Blackfoot. Cremation was under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls.

In lieu of flowers, please say a prayer for Virginia and the family.

Fair Winds and Following Seas.