Thaddeus Alvin Wheeler Jr., 80, of Jefferson passed away Friday, October 16, 2015 at Watauga Medical Center. He was born January 28, 1935 in Durham, NC, to Thaddeus A. Wheeler and Margaret Ruth Upchurch. He graduated from Randolph Macon Academy and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Duke University. Al served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and had a successful career as a major gifts fundraising consultant, retiring from Lenoir-Rhyne College as vice president for advancement. He was a member of several Rotary Clubs and was honored to serve as president of the Blowing Rock club during its centennial year. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara Jones, and was married to Patty Nash Wheeler, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. The two enjoyed their Duke-UNC rivalry especially during basketball games. In 1981 they purchased The Skyland Post newspaper in West Jefferson which they published for eight years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Kay Wheeler of Fayetteville; two sons, Bradley Scott Wheeler and wife Susan Adam of Boone, and T.A. Wheeler III of Pinehurst; a stepson, Stephen B. Shelley and wife Theresa Sgobba of Brooklyn, NY; a brother-in-law, Robert Talley of Greensboro and wife Jean; a niece, Elaine Summers and husband Billy of Greensboro; and a nephew, Doug Talley, and wife Dee. Visitation is at Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson Sunday, October 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 19 at 1pm at St Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New River Conservancy, P.O. Box 1480, West Jefferson, NC, 28694.