Randy DeWayne Wheeler, 52, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away suddenly on Jan. 29, 2023. He was out doing something he loved listening to live music, singing, and dancing with people he loved. Randy was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma, on Feb. 21, 1970, to Janice and John Wheeler. Randy’s dad served in the Air Force so the family moved several times, but eventually settled in the Wichita area where they raised Randy and his younger sister Christy.Whatever he achieved in life, Randy credited to God and to the family who loved him so well.
Randy went to Andover High School where he played sports and developed friendships that lasted his whole life. After graduating high school, Randy joined the Army and was stationed in Germany before moving back to Wichita. By that time, he had already gotten married and started a family. He has four kids: Chris, John, Madison and Lauren, and they were the light of his life. After his marriage to Sarah Tester in 2013, Randy also embraced four stepkids: Molly, Allie, David and Katie. Holidays, especially Christmas, became big, loud affairs, which Randy loved. Randy was blessed to see some of his kids get married, and the Wheeler family now includes Chandler, Edwin, Judson and Andie. In addition, Randy has two granddaughters: Khaleesi and Phoebe. Randy had a strong faith that God was good and that putting your trust in Him was the wisest and best thing you could do.
He often talked about how blessed he was, how much God had done for him, and how he deserved none of it. After his time in the Army, Randy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Friends University and embarked on a career in recruiting. He had great success in recruiting and building talent acquisition teams for some of the largest financial services, banking, life insurance and semiconductor organizations worldwide, including Texas Instruments, Schwab and Samsung. Randy loved talking to people and often said he had the best job in the world. His optimism and faith were hallmarks of his life, and he forged close friendships with many of his coworkers. He embraced the idea of work hard/play hard. Outside of work, he truly enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling all over the world, keeping up with his favorite teams in just about every sport, golfing and hanging out with his buddies, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Randy is survived by his wife Sarah Wheeler, and his children, stepchildren and grandchildren: Chris and Chandler Wheeler, John Wheeler, Madison, Edwin and Khaleesi Nero; Lauren Wheeler; Molly and Judson Valdez; Allie Tester; David, Andie and Phoebe Tester; and Katie Tester. He is also survived by his parents and step parents, Janice and Jim Fine; John and Jan Wheeler; and by his grandmother, Margaret Middleton. His sister, Christy Ahrens and husband Bobby Ahrens round out his immediate family, but he will also be missed by beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Wheeler family.
