Thomas (“Tom”) Wheeler of Estero, Florida, passed away at his home on Thursday afternoon, May 23. He was born on August 7, 1946 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, to Charles and Lucille (Deininger) Wheeler.
Tom grew up in Garrett, IN and graduated from Garrett High School in 1964. Tom Wheeler was a consummate business professional whose career continued to grow throughout his tenure at several companies. Tom graduated from Indiana University with a business/finance degree in 1969.
He then joined the General Electric Company, where he held various positions, including Regional Sales Manager for the Midwest. In the late 1970s, Tom added to his business acumen by taking graduate classes in the MBA program at the University of Chicago School of Business. In 1980 he left GE for a leadership opportunity in the senior management of Roth Distributing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
There he oversaw Roth’s appliance sales division. In 1984 Tom joined Almo Corporation as a Vice President to expand the company’s operations to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. He opened Almo’s Minneapolis office, which became an immediate success under his leadership, and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Almo’s entire Midwest operations.
Tom was also responsible for acquisitions that further expanded Almo’s operations ultimately into 26 states. He served as Executive Vice President in charge of the Appliance and Consumer Electronics business until his retirement in 2004. Tom’s legacy at Almo will be a part of its successful history due to his leadership ability and his foresight in helping the company grow, prosper and successfully transition to a new generation of leadership.
The division that he developed and managed is still a highly successful and industry-leading business. Notwithstanding his many career successes, Tom’s focus was always centered on family. Over the many years and generations, he was always there for his family — to provide his steady encouragement, keen wisdom and generous support, especially in the times when it was needed the most.
Whether those acts were known, or unknown, his selfless love for family stood paramount. Tom enjoyed golf, travel, and following the stock market. He was a member of the Shadow Wood Country Club community in Estero and the Medina Golf & Country Club in Medina,Minnesota.
Tom has the unique distinction of having shot a combined total of six hole-in-ones at those courses. He enjoyed traveling to interesting places with the family, especially the grandchildren, playing like a kid with them. Whether it was swimming in the pool, having snacks in their snow house, hitting golf balls or playing card games, Tom was all smiles and ready to participate.
They were his joy. Tom is preceded by his parents, Charles and Lucille Wheeler, a sister Barbara and two brothers, Joe and Phil. Tom is survived by his loving wife and best friend Connie (Culpepper) Wheeler; his son, Lane(Linda) Vines and his daughter, Leah Leeper (Brad Dahlberg); six grandchildren: Justin (Alexa), Trevor and Jordan Leeper and Joanna, Andrew and Julia Vines; one brother, Tim (Karen) Wheeler and three sisters, Theresa Blaker, Janie (Rick) Ewert and Rita Wheeler; and thirteen nieces and nephews.
As a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend, Tom will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known him. A memorial service for Tom will be held Saturday July 13th at 10:30am at St Philip the Deacon in Plymouth, MN In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.
alz.org/ Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thomas C. Wheeler please visit our Sympathy Store.
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