James Preston Wheeler Jr.

James Preston Wheeler, known affectionately as "J.P.", 88, loved Husband, Father and Grandfather, went Home to be with his Lord on Thursday, October 27, 2011. He was born the only son and youngest child of James and Bertha Wheeler on January 6, 1923, in Wilmington, North Carolina. As a young man he worked side by side with his father after school and on weekends in the construction business, helping to build Wilmington and its Port prior to WWII. When he was old enough he enlisted in the armed services, serving a tour in the Army and two tours in the Navy. During his enlistment with the Navy, he served on "Big Ben", christened the USS Franklin, CV-13, one of the Navy's 24 Essex Class aircraft carriers. J.P. was on board during both serious bombings of Big Ben, and it is said that he and the remainder of the crew that survived were alive due to sheer valor and tenacity. After WWII J.P. was employed as a cross-country truck driver, moving families from the East Coast to the West Coast and back. When he retired, J.P. returned to his beloved North Carolina where he was able to fish for spots, net shrimp, eat oysters and work on his boat to his heart's content. In 2005 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and in 2006 he moved to the Central Florida area to be closer to his children. J.P. was never at a loss for words, and could look you in the eye whenever he had something to say. He was strong, both physically and emotionally, honest and trustworthy. J.P. was one of those people that if he gave you his word, you could "take it to the bank". He was preceded in death by his Wife, Mildred Eaton Wheeler. J.P. is survived by his Children: James P. Wheeler, III, Fayetteville, Georgia; James Reid Wheeler, Zellwood, Florida; and Sterling Wheeler Dixon, Orlando, Florida, and by his Grandchildren: J. Preston Wheeler, IV, Fayetteville, Georgia; Kristen Karen Moore, Charlotte, North Carolina; Madison Noel Wheeler, Zellwood, Florida, and Rachel Elizabeth Wheeler, Clermont, Florida. A Celebration of J.P.'s life will be held at the Hampstead Baptist Church, Hampstead, North Carolina, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, followed by interment at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, Hampstead, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to your local Hospice. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.