Joe L. Wheat Jr. (1925 - 2013)

Ancestors

Biography

Joe Wheat, age 88 of Breckenridge, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, December 19th at O'Donnell Cemetery, O'Donnel, Texas with Rev. Dennis Adams officiating.

Joe Leonard Wheat Jr. was born April 1, 1925 in Wingate, Texas to Joe Leonard Wheat Sr. and Nina Mae Wheat. Joe graduated from Wingate High School. After graduation, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During World War II he fought in many battles in the Pacific. During the many invasions he was a part of, he was awarded as many as eight battle stars. He observed the flag in place that had been raised on Iwo Jima and later,from his ship in the Philippines, he saw General Douglas MacArthur wade ashore on his "return to the Philippines".

On January 21, 1956, Mr. Wheat married Betty Ruth McKee in Lovington, New Mexico. He enjoyed fishing and reading westerns. He also had an interest in airplanes from working at an airport before he went into farming.

Mr. Wheat was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Juanita Wheat, Billie McDonald, Gloria Faye Fannon, Jeanell Young, and Jerry Rogers, as well as three brothers, Norman, Jack and John Wheat. Mr. Wheat is survived by his wife, Betty Ruth Wheat of Breckenridge, his grandson, Monty Ratliff, of Austin and one sister, Sue Williams of Lubbock,TX.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice and may be left at Morehart Mortuary.

Sources

Source Citation Publication Date: 09/ 29/ 2014; Publication Place: City, Texas, USA; URL: http://www.tributes.com/obituary/print_selections/97449842?type=1

Source Citation Issue State: Texas; Issue Date: Before 1951 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA

• Nina Mae Jennings married Joe Leonard Wheat, Sr on June 7, 1924 in Runnels County, Texas. This was a double wedding, along with her sister, Ruth Jennings and George Henry.

Ten children were born to Nina and Leonard's marriage. Sons were Joe Leonard Wheat,Jr, Norman Wheat, John Wheat and Jackie Wheat. Daughters were Billie Wheat McDonald, Gloria Faye Wheat Fannon, Jeanell Wheat Young, Jerry Wheat Rogers, Juanita Wheat and Sue Wheat Williams.

She was a housewife and mother, living at Wingate, Texas for several years before moving to the communities of Draw, O'Donnell and Brownfield. Her husband, Joe Leonard died as a result of a car accident in which she was also injured.