Dan Wheeler

Daniel Clyde “Dan” Wheeler, 82, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his residence on March 25, 2025. Born in the Crab Orchard community of Cumberland County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late R.L. and Ethel Pearl Wheeler growing up on the family grain and livestock farm. He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia and brothers Bobby and Bill.

Dan was a 1964 graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity. His professional career began in 1965 with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, where he served as an agent for the Farm Bureau Insurance Companies in Marion and Sequatchie Counties. He later worked as a regional field service representative for the Cumberland Plateau and Chattanooga Areas. In 1969, Dan was promoted to Assistant Director of Organization at the Farm Bureau's Columbia headquarters, focusing on membership acquisition and organizational service.

In 1973, he was named Assistant to the President and Director of Organization. By 1980, Dan became the organization's lobbyist to the state legislature and was appointed Chief Administrative Officer in 1990. His dedication to agriculture led to his appointment by Governor Don Sundquist as the 32nd Commissioner of Agriculture in January 1995. Dan concluded his distinguished career as the Director of The University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture, where he served from 2002 through 2006.

Upon his retirement, Dan was recognized by a Joint Resolution of the Tennessee Legislature for his many contributions throughout his career citing his pivotal role in developing the strategy for the successful Question Three campaign that led to the amendment of the Tennessee Constitution, which taxes property under a classification system. He also helped develop the tobacco baling demonstration program, resulting in a more efficient method of marketing tobacco. Additionally, Dan effectively voiced Farm Bureau's position on tax policies during a time when major tax reform was being considered. The Legislature also noted his visionary leadership in chairing the first-ever Governor's Council on Agriculture and Forestry, where he set the vision and strategic initiatives for his tenure at the Department of Agriculture, including a major reorganization of the Department.

Dan served Tennessee and U.S. agriculture in numerous prestigious roles, including as past president of the Southern United States Trade Association, where he represented 17 member states and territories. He was also a member of the Tennessee Board for Economic Growth and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission. He received the Tennessee “Friend of 4-H” citation. In 2000, he was named "Man of the Year in Service to Tennessee Agriculture" by Progressive Farmer Magazine in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the industry. Upon receiving the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives Special Recognition Award in 2015 it was said that “one of his most significant legacies will be that of building partnerships and cooperation between producer groups, government, education and agribusiness. One of his top strengths has always been his ability to bring people together to make things happen.”

Dan served his alma mater as a past member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees; a past member of the Board of Governors of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association; a member of the Council of Advisors to the Vice President for the UT Institute of Agriculture and as a member of the Institute of Agriculture Alumni Council. Dan served as a board member of Genera Energy, a subsidiary of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. Additionally, he served as a member of the Board of Regents for the State University and Community College System.

In addition to his work in agriculture, Dan was deeply involved in civic activities in Columbia. He served as past chairman of the Maury County United Way, past president of the Columbia Kiwanis Club, where he received a George F. Hixon Fellowship, and as a recipient of the Boy Scout Long Rifle Award. He was also vice chairman of the Maury Regional Hospital Foundation and served on the Board of Directors of First Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Columbia.

Dan was a member of First United Methodist Church of Columbia where he served as a member of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Council on Ministries and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.

Dan was known for his passion for agriculture, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to his community and the State of Tennessee. His career, marked by hard work and a dedication to making a difference, left a lasting legacy in the agricultural community and his state.

Of all his accomplishments, Dan was most devoted to his family and is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-nine years, Carol Wheeler; his sons, Jim (Laura) Wheeler of Johnson City, Tennessee, and David (Michelle) Wheeler of Bowling Green, Kentucky; his grandchildren, Lindsey (Logan) Clark, Daniel Wheeler, Sydney Wheeler, Tate Wheeler, and Carolina Wheeler; and his great-grandchildren, Beecher Clark and Tripp Clark; his sister-in-law, Kay Wheeler; his beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

The Wheeler family is especially grateful to Commissioner Wheeler’s devoted care giver and friend, Derric Porter.

A celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Columbia on April 12, 2025, at Noon with Rev. Stephen Sauls officiating. Inurnment will follow in Maury Memorial Gardens. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 a.m. until Noon on April 12th. Family and friends are invited to gather and honor his memory. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Columbia First United Methodist Church, 222 W 7th St, Columbia, TN 38401 or Crab Orchard Christian Church, 217 Wheeler Ln, Crab Orchard, TN 37723.

Daniel Clyde Wheeler will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and his legacy will continue to inspire those he worked alongside and loved.