April 6,1939-November 14, 2005
Click on his name to view the life story of Sensei Ross
Allen Wheeler
passes away at 85
Powell
karate instructor, author and resident Allen Wheeler passed away Feb. 14. He was
85.
Mr. Wheeler was born Oct. 11, 1919, in Knoxville and spent his career as
an employee of the Southern Railway system. He began studying Isshinryu karate in 1961 and opened Wheeler’s
School of Karate in 1971 in Powell. He became an internationally recognized
authority on Isshinryu karate and started the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes
huddle in a karate school in the country.
“He
felt that karate training was the (same)
as a Christian,” said Chuck Reynolds, who owned the school with Mr.
Wheeler. “You are always striving for perfection but never reaching it. He
always stressed character. His love for kids and for this community was just
unbelievable. And his family was just everything (to him).”
Mr.
Wheeler achieved the rank of Grand Master, 10th degree black belt, the highest
Martial arts rank. He was a World War II veteran and was a member of First
Baptist Church of Powell.
He
is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Hunter Wheeler; sons and
daughters-in-law Ben and Brenda Wheeler of Indian Rock Beach, Fla.; R.N. and
Jane Wheeler of Etowah; daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Steve Vineyard of
Knoxville; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.