Published: June 18, 2009 07:05 pm      

G.R. Wheat

G.R. Wheat was born on Aug. 25, 1921, in Coahoma, to the late Joseph Benton and Gertrude Adeline Wheat. He passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2009, in Corsicana. He grew up in the Coahoma and Big Spring area, working on his family’s ranch in the cattle business. He was in the United States Army from 1942 to 1943 during World War II. He met Pat Cummings in Coahoma as she was starting her teaching career in Coahoma in 1951 and they married Dec. 25, 1951. He was baptized into Christ in 1956. They moved to Gatesville after their marriage where he farmed and ranch for close to 25 years while also working at Rocketdyne and then Texas Youth Commission in Gatesville and later in Corsicana. He was a member of Westhill Church of Christ in Corsicana.

He enjoyed his family, ranching, playing cards and domino games with family and friends and later his own customized aggravation game with grandkids and friends. He enjoyed getting out his box of old pictures from his youth and reminiscing. After retirement from Texas Youth Commission, he stayed busy with the yard work and daily walks and taking care of his household and car. He was a quiet, gentle man and taught us by his example. He had an honest, pure nature with great integrity. We don’t recall a single instance of him saying an unkind word. He had a good sense of humor and would get tickled at himself telling a tale often. He treasured each of his grandkids and great-grandkids and loved to play games or draw for them.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers, J.B. and L.B.; and sisters, Dorothy, Molly and Ruby Lee.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pat of Corsicana; son, Gary Wheat and wife Teresa of Camden, S.C.; daughters, LaClaire Diamond and husband Steve of Sulphur Springs, Nancy Wright and husband Doyce of Gatesville and Paula Gillen and husband Paul of Corsicana; grandchildren, Micah King and husband Whit of Camden, S.C., Garyn Marley Wheat of Camden, S.C., Christopher and Brittan Diamond of Sulphur Springs, Dillon Diamond of College Station, Brien Wright and wife Tina, Brent Wright and wife Sophia and Garrett Wright, all of Dallas, and Collin Wright of College Station, Shelby Briggs and husband Chad and Stacy Schoenewolf of Blooming Grove and Steely Armstrong and husband Kevin of Corsicana; great-grandchildren, Tatum and Reece Briggs and Jackson and Layne King and Luke Belton Armstrong; and also close personal friend, Sammy Mosley and family of Midland.

Special thanks to the Cedar Lake Hospice and to Regina Brookins and Christine Henry and Ramona Brookins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of Brenda Stubbs at Community National Bank and Trust for charity yet to be determined.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Griffin-Roughton Chapel with Ferman Carpenter officiating. Interment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com by selecting the G.R. Wheat obituary.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.