Dr. Thomas Gerald Wheatley was the first of three sons born to Sidney and Amanda Wheatley on Oct. 12, 1930, on Tangier Island.
When he was 16, the family moved to north side Chesconnessex, where he graduated from Onancock High School. Shortly afterward, he attended Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, from 1949-1953. Following graduation, he returned to his home in Chesconnessex, where he had the full responsibility of a small congregation. From his earliest days, he was a pastor-teacher, preaching through books of the Bible.
In June of 1954, he married Nadine Lewers on the front lawn of her father’s farm home. In the fall, they headed to Columbia Bible College in Columbia, S.C. He graduated in 1956 with a B.A. and in 1958 with a M.A. in Bible education.
He later achieved a Doctorate of Ministries from Luther Rice Seminary and ministered in churches in Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland with his wife, Nadine, and children: Laura, Jonathan, Gerry, and David. He then accepted a professorship at Prairie Bible Institute in 1986 and greatly enjoyed teaching college students until he retired at age 70.
Dr. and Mrs. Wheatley then moved to Lee’s Summit, Mo., to enjoy living near family. For the past 10 years, Dr. Wheatley lived and preached at Solstice Senior Living in Lee’s Summit.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Nadine. He leaves four children: Laura Tubbesing, Johathan Wheatley, Gerry Harclerode, and David Wheatley, and two brothers, Eugene and Kenneth Wheatley. He will be missed by his 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchldren, and many relatives and friends.
