Services for Nicky Wheeler, 61, of Flint, will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Cross Brand Cowboy Church with Terry Holland and Marcus Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.

Mr. Wheeler passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Tyler. He was born June 26, 1956 in Lubbock, Texas to Johnny and Lola Wheeler.

Nicky graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. He is co-owner of Fresh Country Fund-Raising in Longview, Texas.

Nicky was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Billy Don Wheeler. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 36 years, Beverly Conine Wheeler; his sons, Trent Wheeler, Cole Wheeler and Blake Wheeler; siblings, Alan Neil Wheeler and wife Rachel, and Jimmy Wheeler; his uncle, Lloyd Wheeler and aunt, Sandy, as well as many nieces and nephews; and his lifelong friend Ricky Blalock. 

Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler.

As a young cowboy, Nicky worked for Frank Perkins breaking cutting horses. During his high school years, he began riding bulls. He was described as a “natural talent” by many, and in 1977, he qualified for and competed at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, OK. There he rode 9 out of 10 bulls to finish in the top five in the World. He also won the East Texas Rodeo Association Year-End Championship and Finals in 1979. 

Nicky had a true love of his sport and was loved by all he met. Nicky went on to teach numerous others to compete and to love rodeo as well. Having heard story after story in the past 3 weeks, reminded us all of this love of all things rodeo. He stayed involved in the sport by judging many bull ridings, including both CBR and PBR. 

When Nicky’s bull riding days were over, he found many other ways to stay involved in rodeo. Nicky produced numerous rodeos at Wheeler Arena. He produced the Peltier Rodeo, which was a weekly rodeo from June through August where a truck was given away to the top bull-rider of the series. Nicky later raised bucking bulls. He was a pioneer in breeding top-level bloodline bucking bulls of his own. Nicky travelled the US to find and add top-rated bulls to his breeding venture. 

Nicky met the love of his life, Beverly Conine, in 1981, and married her a short 6 months later on April 24, 1982. Together, with the help of Nicky’s parents, Nicky and Beverly started Fresh Country Wholesale in 1983 in Longview, TX. This grew into a family venture with the addition of Nicky’s brother, Jimmy, in 1985, when the fundraising portion of the business began. Nicky, Beverly, and Jimmy have worked over the ensuing years with various FFA groups, elementary schools, and others, spanning five states. These groups and their members mean so very much to the Wheeler family.

Nicky spent many hours with his boys. Nicky’s two younger boys showed interest in rodeo. Knowing that he didn’t want his boys to ride bulls, he taught them to team rope and calf rope at a young age. During these years, the Wheeler family met a host of new and very dear friends from all over the country. Here, Nicky continued to help so many young rodeo contestants to be the best they could be in their sport.

Nicky never met a stranger and made everything he did fun. Nicky was a great friend to all and will be missed dearly. The impact that he made in so many lives has left a lasting effect on all of us. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association at P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284-1125 or The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701. 

***Pallbearers are Mark Minton, Barry Dagnel, Terry Williams, Mark Tatom, David Sawyer, Gary Dean Sanders, Greg McKeethan, John Acker, and Jim Acker.
*** Honorary pallbearers are Mac Waddle, Jayhu Thorp, Bart Futrell, Russell Welch, Mike Stephens, Phillip Burns, Dwayne Orr, Danny Crossley, Mike Stanley, and Robert Williamson.

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