John Randall Wheeler

John Randall Wheeler, 76, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro as the result of complications of a fall. Randall was born in Booneville, Mississippi, November 25, 1934. His family moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas when he was six years old. He attended elementary, junior high and high school in Jonesboro, graduating in the Jonesboro High School Class of 1952. He attended college at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, graduating in 1956 with a degree in business administration. Following a short stint in the army, he joined his father in the family business, Wheeler Brick Company. He worked in the brick industry 43 years, retiring as Chief Executive Officer. He also retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as Lt. Colonel. Randall was active in First Baptist Church of Jonesboro as a deacon and former Sunday school worker. He was a church usher for many years and was Chairman of the Board of Deacons in 1987. He was an active worker in the Church Care Center until the week before his death. Randall served as a Justice of the Peace on the Craighead County Quorum Court from 1977-1980. He served on the Board of Directors of the Brick Institute of America and also on the Manufacturing Council of the Brick Industry Association for several years. He was active in the Southwest Section of the American Ceramic Society, and served as the Chairman in 2003 and received their Outstanding Service Award in 2004. He was a long-term member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of Jonesboro and served as Chairman in 2002-2004. Randall loved to travel and made church mission trips as well as vacation trips in Central America, Europe, Brazil and Asia. He also was an avid Razorback fan, often joining family members for ball games in Little Rock and Fayetteville. Mr. Wheeler was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis Randall Wheeler and Hurlon Fugitt Wheeler. Survivors include his wife, Jo Fullerton Wheeler of the home; his step mother, Ernestine Spears Wheeler; two sons: John Randall Wheeler Jr. and wife Jennifer of Jonesboro, and Scott Wheeler and wife Cinnamon of Conway; a brother, Archie Wheeler and wife Cheryl of Branson, Missouri; a half-sister, Ellise Esselman and husband Steven of Waxahachie, Texas; a step brother, Steve Wheeler of Castlerock, Colorado; a step-sister, Sandra McGee and husband Dan of Arlington, Texas. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Matthew Wheeler, Andrew Wheeler, Josh Thornburgh, Savannah Thornburgh, Samantha Wheeler and Brock Wheeler. A memorial service will be held Thursday morning, March 24, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Kathy Holler and Rev. Ross Burton officiating. A graveside committal service will precede the memorial service at 10 a.m. in Jonesboro Memorial Park. Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include the Deacons of First Baptist Church, members of the Co Ed 10 Sunday school class, Salvation Army Board members, volunteers in the First Baptist Church Care Center, and members of the Jonesboro High School Class of 1952. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, 5-7 p.m., at Emerson Funeral Home. For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to The Salvation Army, 800 Cate Ave., Jonesboro, Ark. 72401, or First Baptist Church Care Center, 701 S. Main, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401. Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.