Tommy Wheeler

Funeral services for Tommy Lynn Wheeler, 65, of Nacogdoches, will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home. Visitation will be held rom 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, March 11, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home. 

Tommy Lynn Wheeler, Jr., formally of Nacogdoches, TX passed away March 4, 2022, at age 65. Tommy Lynn was born in Houston, TX and spent his formal years in Timpson, TX which he considers home.

Tommy Lynn was born in Houston but claims to be from Timpson, Texas. He moved to Timpson in 1970. Throughout his Houston years (1960s), Tommy went to Smiley and Tidwell Elementary, and Kirby Jr High School. At the age of 13, Tommy and family moved to Timpson where he graduated from Timpson High School Class of ‘75, and later received his degree in Environmental Science from Stephen F. Austin State University Class of ‘99.

Throughout Tommy’s formal years, he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Timpson, where his family was involved in music and Sunday School services. Tommy had a lengthy career beginning at Amos Foods in Timpson, then worked as the projectionist at the family Fox Theatre throughout High School. After High School, Tommy moved to Houston and worked as the manager for Gulf Gate Cinema before becoming a brakeman for Southern Pacific Railway. Tommy’s major career move began in 1983 when he began working for the City of Nacogdoches where he worked as Health Officer/Home and Security Officer/Director of Urban Development for 30 years-retired 2013. Since retirement Tommy had been serving as the Director of Environmental Services and Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for the County of Nacogdoches, as well as Facility Maintenance Director and County Health Officer.

Tommy loved the outdoors, and it was reflected in his passion for hunting, fishing, archery, and cycling. Tommy found great success in beach fishing, bow hunting, and won several cycling titles. Throughout his youth, Tommy was known as the family dare devil due to his extreme motorcycle jumps, barefoot skiing, and bull riding. Tommy was an exquisite story and joke teller, and he loved to make people laugh. Tommy met his wife Hien through their great friend Diep and were married in 2010. Tommy and Hien loved to travel the world together. Together they traveled to Vietnam in 2011, 2013, and 2016, made two trips to Thailand, and one trip to Cambodia during this time. They enjoyed music, dancing, food, and exploring the world together.

Tommy’s greatest accomplishment above all was his love for God, family, and friends. He served as the greatest big brother to Kenneth, taught him outdoorsmanship and how to be a man. Stepfather and mentor to Daniel throughout his youth. Uncle, mentor, and second father to Charles and Jared. And beloved husband to Hien. Tommy helped mentor, shape, and touched the lives of countless people.

Tommy is survived by his wife Hien Tran Wheeler; Brother, Kenneth Lynn Wheeler, and wife Beth; Stepson, Daniel Knitter; Nephew’s: Charles Lynn Wheeler, and wife Trisha; Jared Lynn Wheeler, and wife Nikki; Taylor Watson; Wesley Watson, and wife Emily; Sister-in-Law Dao Meisenheimer, and husband George; Niece, Catherine Meisenheimer Great Nieces: Kinlee Wheeler, Kenadee Wheeler, Eva Lynn Wheeler, Taylor Beane, and husband Skyler, Cade Watson, Noah Watson, Makenna Watson, Haidyn Watson, Tinsley Watson; Great-great nephew Bentley Beane.

Tommy was proceeded in death by his father Tommy Lynn Wheeler and mother Martha Delores Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Shriners Children's Texas in the name of Mr. Tommy Lynn Wheeler using the link below or by mailing a check to the following address: Shriners Children’s Texas Donor Development, 815 Market St. Rm 524, Galveston, TX 77550.

On behalf of the family, we would like to give our thanks to Memorial Hospital and staff.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tommy Wheeler, please visit our floral store.