John "Wheels" Wheeler
San Francisco, d. 11.July.2018, killed
by truck.
John Wheeler was a veteran San Francisco
bike messenger for over 15 years. He was killed by a pick up truck
while riding his bike
John Woods Wheeler
June 29, 1958 - July 11, 2018
Concord
The family of John Woods Wheeler announces his passing on July 11,
2018, at the age of 60. He was the victim of a tragic bicycle vs
pick-up truck accident in Concord.
John was born on June 29, 1958 in San Rafael, California to David
and Patricia Wheeler, the second son of three. He grew up in Walnut
Creek and was a life-long native of the East Bay and San Francisco.
John graduated from Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord and
California State University, San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in History.
As a youth John worked at and loved the Alexander Lindsay Junior
Museum in Walnut Creek. It was the museum and scouting that shaped
his love for the outdoors. John traveled extensively, partaking in
outdoor adventuring and toured much of Europe on his bicycle.
For over 15 years John was a bicycle messenger in San Francisco. He
later developed his passion for jewelry crafting and design,
collaborating with people and working with his hands. He started his
own jewelry business and was a Market Street vendor in the city for
many years.
John's most recent job was as a bus tour guide in San Francisco,
which he did brilliantly. He was a titan of the tourism industry,
entertaining hundreds of tourists as he enlightened them with San
Francisco's diverse history. John's wealth of knowledge of all
things San Francisco was bestowed upon him by his family, who
settled in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1850.
John spent a great deal of his life acting at the Renaissance
Pleasure Faire and the Dickens Christmas Faire where he touched many
lives over the past 40 years. He was also the Founder of the Neil
Higgins Society, a 30-year-old neo-pagan brotherhood. He was one of
the greatest abalone divers we will ever know and loved the ocean.
He was the catalyst that always brought people together for so many
amazing events and adventures and made everyone he encountered feel
special.
John was predeceased by both his parents, Patricia in 2013 and David
in 2016. He leaves behind a daughter, Mara Wolfe-Wheeler of San
Francisco, his brothers David (Marta) Wheeler of San Diego, and
James (Annette) Wheeler of Alameda. He had four nephews and nieces,
Matthew (Jennifer) Wheeler of San Jose, Laura (Patrick) Dunn of Los
Angeles, Tommy (Ashley) Wheeler of San Diego, and Amanda Wheeler of
Alameda. Besides his family, John's life touched a wide circle of
vary caring friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held for John at John McLaren Park,
116 John F. Shelley Drive, San Francisco, CA 94134, in the Group
Picnic Area, on Saturday, August 18th, at 11am.
