Obituary of Jimmie Franklin Wheeler

Funeral services for Jimmie Franklin Wheeler, 84, of Lovington, NM will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Jackson Ave Baptist Church with Bro. Dave Rowser officiating. Burial will follow at Lovington Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Wheeler was born on June 8, 1934 in Collingsworth County, TX to Johnnie and Clara (Thompson) Wheeler and passed away at his home on March 10, 2019. He married Reita Carter on June 26, 1953 and they had four children: Dickie, Connie, Jan, and Larry. Jimmie and Reita moved to Lovington in 1955 and he farmed and ranched in Prairieview for sixty-four years. He was a 4-H leader for many years when his kids were younger and he was Beef Superintendent at the Lea County fair for numerous years. He served on the Lay Committee for the Lovington Municipal Schools and he received the Harvey Head Memorial award. Jimmie also won Beef Breeder at the Lea County Fair for many years. More recently, he was honored in 2014 as the "Cowbelle Man of the Year" and the Lea County Fair Dedication. In 2010, Jimmie married Doris Swain. They loved traveling with their friends and playing "42" with the Caprock "42" Club. After his retirement from farming, Jimmie enjoyed tending to his cows, working in his yard, and watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids participate in roping, showing steers, and playing sports Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife Reita, his daughter, Connie Willyard; his son, Dickie Wheeler; and two brothers, George and Joe Wheeler. Surviving him is his wife Doris of the home, son: Larry and wife Sadie Wheeler of Lovington; daughter: Jan and Jerry Brian of Hobbs; step-daughters: Cindy Carter Walker and Darenda Carter of Texas; fourteen grandkids, and fifteen great-grandkids. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 13th, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to ww.kirbysmithrogers.com.