ORLAND RAY WHEELER

Orland Ray Wheeler, 80, of Pleasant Hill, passed away January 27, 2025 at Saint Luke's East Hospital. Ray was born on November 18, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri to Oleta Wheeler.

As a boy, he spent the majority of his time with his Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler who helped raise him. Grandpa Wheeler is where Ray gained his love of hunting. They spent countless hours running dogs and hunting coons, foxes and coyotes. Ray was even known to take in squirrels, snakes and rabbits. He simply loved anything outdoors.

In November of 1980, he married the love of his life, Anita. They combined their families and raised 4 kids together. Ray and Anita loved going out dancing on the weekends. He founded the band Southern Comfort and was a very talented bass player and singer for over 20 years. He loved old country especially singing Silver Wings and listening to Ray Price.

Ray worked alongside his Uncle Paul for many years in the construction field, building metal buildings from Kansas City to Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was also a supervisor at Waterloo Industries in Sedalia. Ray was always willing to help anyone, especially neighbors with their construction projects.

His kids and grandkids were the light of his life. Ray loved sharing his love of field trials with them. They would spend weekends camping, riding in the back of trucks listening to dogs and of course there were always hunting stories in there too. Ray loved to tell jokes and sneak up behind people and scare them……he would laugh and laugh each time they jumped.

Ray is survived by his wife Anita, of the home; Daughters - Stephanie (Ryan) Finn, Pleasant Hill, MO and LaDonna Wheeler, Raymore, MO; Son - Ed (Susana) Wheeler, Pleasant Hill, MO; Brother – Charles Tarter; Grandchildren - Kaitlyn (Nijat) Agayev, Maddie (Josh) Martin, Ashley McCannon, Johnny McCannon, Brett Wheeler, Brenna (Michael) O'Neill, Baleigh (William) Noe, Mary Jane Wheeler, Bentli Wheeler, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews as well as many cherished friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Noble and Mary Wheeler, Mom - Oleta (Wheeler) Emick, Brothers - Gerald Leroy (Buddy) Tarter and Terry Wayne (Tank) Tarter Son - David Wheeler

A celebration of life will be held on February 8, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the VFW 1804 N Commercial St Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278