Gordon Gray Wheeler , 49, Kansas City, MO, died Sunday, May 7, 2000, at the family home. A memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2000, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 40th & Main St., Kansas City, MO. Cremation. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or a charity of your choice.
Gordon was born September 7, 1950, in New Orleans, LA. He attended Southwest High School and graduated in 1968 from the American School in Vienna, Austria. He attended St. John's Liberal Arts College in Santa Fe, NM. Survivors include his parents, Marjorie and Charles Wheeler , of the home; two sisters, Nina Yoakum, Orlando, FL, and Marion Wheeler , Kansas City, MO; brother, GrahamWheeler , Kansas City, MO; and maternal grandmother, Violet Martin, Atchison, KS. His brother, Mark A. Wheeler , preceded him in death in 1988. (Arrangements: Mount Moriah and Freeman Funeral Chapel)
IN MEMORY
Gordon Wheeler
Dennis Bowman
I had a couple of classes with Gordon. Did not know him well, but he was always likeable. And, of course, he was the son of Kansas City Mayor Charles Wheeler, who is still living at 91. Rest in peace, Gordon.
Judi Lyddon (Adams)
Gordon and his younger brother, Mark..great guys. So fun, kind, giving, happy. I think Gordon was an engineer living in Colorado Springs. He was killed in a freak, plane accident due to the common wind shears in Colorado, perhaps before the age of 30. Such a bummer.Jay Hodge
I think that Gordon died in Kansas City. His brother Mark, who had attended the Air Force Academy, was killed in a small plane crash in Colorado. Too much tradgedy for one family. Gordon was a fun loving guy with a quick smile. He missed his senior year and was in Vienna for that year. It was the 60's, and he came back different than when he left. He was still so happy to see a friend, but he was very quiet and introspective.
While still at Southwest, he was always up for a challenge and some fun. One time he decided that he would dress up in khakis and drive around. When he saw a pretty girl drive by, he took his father's (the mayor) Kojak style portable police light and stuck in on the roof of his car, and proceeded to pull the girl over. He would walk up with a clipboard, ask to see her identification and try to get her phone number so that he could call her later. It didn't take long for the whole thing to fall apart, but you have to hand it to him for trying.
Stanley Kanter
Gordon Wheeler - Budding Young Aeronautical Engineer
I didn’t know Gordon very well. But, we sat next to each other in the back row of junior English class, Mrs. Gardner, I think.
One day, Mrs Gardner needed to study for a class she was taking and instructed the class to study. Well, Gordon put his head on his desk and nodded off. Prior to this Gordon had made a paper airplane the likes of which I’ve never been able to duplicate which was sitting on his desk while he rested. And, the rest of the class diligently studied, as instructed, at least most everyone. In a fit of passion, or maybe boredom, I picked up Gordon’s plane and proceeded to launch it.
It was a perfect trajectory making a stealth landing perfectly under Mrs Gardner’s nose. Needless to say, she was livid. It was the perfect crime. No one had any idea what had happened to set her off. I managed to sufficiently maintain an acceptable poker face while the rest of the class was dumbfounded.
I can’t recall if I confided in Gordon, or not. This was most definitely the highlight of my high school career, if not my life. I was hoping to be able to reminisce with Gordon and maybe he would share the plans for the infamous projectile.
Hopefully, Mrs Gardner doesn’t see this. I can’t afford any more black marks on my permanent record that might jeopardize my eligibility for “Global Entry”, or security clearance at COSTCO.
I’m sure we were up to other shenanigans as well. But, this overshadows them for me.
Miss you Gordon!
Susan Kelne (Jacobowitz)
Gordon and I went to Bryant elementary together.I remember Gordon being super shy and he talk didn't much either. I remember when his became mayor Gordon didn't seem to be any different still quiet and shy.
Susan Kelne Jacobowitz