- Date Of Birth: May 25, 1933
- Date Of Death: July 28, 2013
- State: Colorado
Eldon Ray Wheeler, 80, passed away July 28, 2013 in Canon City, Colorado. He was born May 25, 1933 in La Junta, Colorado to Henry S. and Lilly P. (Nickols) Wheeler. Ray grew up in Las Animas, graduating from Bent County High School in 1951. He attended Western State College, earning his teaching degree in 1956. While at Western State, he was named an All American Basketball player. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. On March 10, 1957 he was united in marriage to Barbara Jo Waggoner in La Junta. Ray played and coached basketball and football at the Canon City High School, the Abbey, Salida High School, and at the University of Alaska. He played with the Dodgers Farm Team. In 2002, Ray was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame. At the end of his coaching career, Ray ranched in the San Luis Valley and the Salida area from 1980 to 2010. Mr. Wheeler is survived by his wife Barbara of Canon City; children, Denise Diane (Mike) Tezak, Rhonda Rae Wheeler, and Sheila Marie (Mike) Haggerty; grandchildren, Stephanie (Neil) Cooper, Nathan (Jessica) Tezak, Krystal (Mike) Brown, and Patrick Haggerty; great grandchildren; Joel Tezak, Adyah Tezak, Luke Cooper, Timothy Cooper, Hannah Cooper, Vivvy Cooper, and Michelle Cooper; and good friend, Karen Marie Kamoske. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Juanita (Floyd) Burrows, Don (Imogene) Wheeler, and Max Wheeler.
