Colonel James I. Wheeler

Retired Air Force Colonel, James I. Wheeler, a decorated veteran of combat tours in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, died August 24, 2015 at age 92. He was also a loving, supportive and caring husband, father and friend. Jim's military career spanned 32 years. During WWII, he flew 75 combat missions in the P-47 "Thunderbolt" with the First Air commando Group in India-Burma. He served in Korea as an F-86 pilot. In Vietnam Jim flew C-47 aircraft in psychological warfare and base support missions. Military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Cluster, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters plus a variety of Theater Service medals and ribbons. After retiring from the Air Force, Jim joined Hughes Aircraft Co. and retired from there 15 years later. He was a member of, and held several offices, in the Order of Daedalians and MOAA and served as Pres. of the Tucson Chapter Air Force Association for six years followed by three years as their SW Region President, served on the Tucson "Pops" Board of Directors for 12 years and 19 years as Pres. of the HO Assoc. in the community where he lived. Jim will always be remembered for his love of ballroom dancing, especially Big Band music of the '40's. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; sons, James, Michael, Jeff; brothers, Jack and Wayne; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 31, 2015 at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base - Hope Chapel. Enter through Craycroft gate. He will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. In lieu of flowers, Jim's family suggests a donation to: Operation Warm Heart, 3405 S. 5th St., D-M Air Force Base, Tucson, AZ., 85707.