Jesse Lee Wheeler Sr., 82, of Fredericksburg, Texas, passed away on May 24, 2023, peacefully at home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Officiating will be Pastor Mike Weaver. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.
Visitation will begin prior to the service at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 202, at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves.
Jesse was born in Oak Hill, Texas, on February 5, 1941, he was the son of Jodie Lee Wheeler and Hazel Herrin. Jesse grew up on his family's farm. He loved to tell stories about hunting with his friends out of an old Studebaker that they cut the top off. Jesse’s first job was cedar chopping with his dad. By age twelve, Jesse began work for contractor Haskell Hudson sweeping up slabs and worked his way up to partner in building a subdivision by age twenty. His love of horses led Jesse to become a sought-after farrier in his twenties. Jesse often brought his son Jesse “Lee” Jr. with him to jobs so they could spend time together and taught him the trade. Later, Jesse met Rachel Burton, who would become his wife, when he was called out to shoe her show horses. Rachel claimed that their friendship turned to love when Jesse came to her rescue at the racetrack after vandals stole her car battery, leaving her stranded. He replaced the battery and refused to let her pay him back! The couple was married in Las Vegas at Wee Kirk ‘O the Heather Chapel, as neither wanted a large wedding. Shortly after they developed a cattle ranch in Beeville. Jesse loved cattle trading and took pride in building his herds into some of the best in the business. His mentor Cecil Hill of Hill’s Arena taught Jesse everything he needed to know about cattle trading and cowboying. He worked for Cecil at the arena and grew to consider him a second dad. Jesse worked in many other areas over his life-rodeo, training racehorses, exotic game trading, managing a pogey plant and helping to oversee the family’s shipyard are a few. Jesse and Rachel have two children together, Anna and Daniel. He was always present for events the kids were involved in. He coached baseball, announced at games (always loving to pump up the players), came to every football game and band concert. Throughout his life, Jesse highly valued his family and friends. He was always available to answer his phone and looked forward to catching up with everyone who called. Jesse always had a saying and a word of wisdom in every situation. When asked how he was doing, his favorite response was “any day above ground is a good day.” He loved his family with all his heart and was so proud of his children and grandchildren. Jesse never missed an opportunity to say that NOBODY has a family like ours!” Jesse loved his Lord and made sure to let anyone who would stop to listen know that everything good comes from Jesus. In his last days, Jesse would remind his family that he was not afraid of dying because he knew where he was headed……and that the story isn’t over yet.
He was preceded in death by his wife of thirty-four years, Rachel Burton Wheeler.
He is survived by his girlfriend, Vikki Turner of Fredericksburg, TX; children, Jesse Lee Wheeler Jr. and wife Millette of Lumberton, TX; Anna Shuford and husband Todd of Bridge City, TX; and Daniel Wheeler and wife Tammy of Lumberton, TX; grandchildren, Jake, Cole, Rachel, Brody, Harper, Bailey, Taylor, and Austin; sister, Juanita Jackson; as well as many other loving family and friends.