Thomas Lamont Wheeler

FAIRBORN — Thomas Lamont Wheeler, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, entering into eternal life at the age of 90, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Born on the family farm in Burning Fork, Kentucky, Tom spent the first seven years of his life there, attending school in a one-room schoolhouse prior to the family relocating to Fairborn, OH during WWII. Tom served his country as an active-duty United States Army Military Police Officer having earned the designations of expert marksman and sharpshooter, as a U.S. Army Reservist, in the Ohio National Guard and later as an Ohio State Trooper (Xenia), Sgt. & acting Asst. Post Commander (Dayton). He survived many challenges and injuries that came with his career choice, gave countless interviews, & was commended for his heroic efforts making Ohio communities safer.

Tom’s military career took him to Leesville, Louisiana and Sausalito, CA, eventually sailing on a troop ship across the Atlantic to Aschaffenburg, Germany just 11 years after the end of WWII. While stationed in Leesville he married his longtime, high school sweetheart Barbara who joined him traveling across the country and across the ocean. While serving in Germany, Barbara and Tom had a wonderful time touring Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in their 1939 Opel Kapitan that had miraculously survived World War II. Their car was the last car hand-built by Hebmüller, appearing in the final International Auto Show in Germany prior to the start of WWII.

While an OSP Trooper, Tom continued his education, graduating from Antioch University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Later in life Tom and Barbara enjoyed traveling with their Airstream trailer where-ever their hearts desired. Tom’s witty personality will be missed and will live on. He enjoyed telling and writing excellent stories, some of which were published.

Tom was born June 18, 1935, the son of the late Reggie and Anna Laura (Bailey) Wheeler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara, grandfather, Mack Bailey, sister Dorothy (Wheeler) Alspaugh, daughter Lynne Y. McDaniel, his mother-in-law Miriam Brant Parsons, uncle and aunt, Cal & Mildred Irwin, niece Karen Sue Pletcher and nephews Ken and Jim Alspaugh. Tom is survived by his beloved daughter Laura and son-in-law Kerry; grandson Christian (Dana) & great-granddaughter Ruby Rose; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. A special thank you to niece Cheryl Biggers and long-time friend Dan (Judy) Miller for their devotion and support. 

A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held at Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, OH. Tom’s family thanks the medical staff at Riverside Methodist Hospital – Six-Yellow, the Claremont Retirement Village staff and residents, and. Enliven and Options Home Health for their care and kindness. Condolences may be made at www.beltonstroup.com