Richard John McKinley Wheaton was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 18th, 1950. His family moved to Torrance, CA, living there for a number of years during and surrounding middle school, then returning to Carmel, IN, where John graduated from Carmel High School in 1969.

John attended the University of Evansville in southern Indiana for a few years, majoring in Engineering. He was initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity in January 1970. He later transferred to Indiana State University, Evansville where he received his Bachelor's degree in December 1979. John majored in Economics and Math and was awarded an outstanding academic award from the Department of Economics.

John was married on September 2, 1979 to his wife, Joyce Race, in New Harmony, Indiana. After graduation, Joyce and John moved to Indianapols, where John worked as a Statistician at the Indiana Department of Mental Health.

After Joyce finished her master's, they were finally ready for the much-anticipated move to California in January 1984. John would fondly speak of arriving in warm and sunny San Diego - the complete opposite of the cold and snowy winter he and Joyce left in Indiana!

In July 1991, John became a father of triplets: Joanna, Jonathon and Jenna. Never failing to support his family, he worked at HomeFed Bank for nearly a decade. He retired from Kaiser Permanente in 2017 as a Systems Analyst, after 21 years of service. John was a lifelong blood donor, another testament of his quiet yet generous legacy.

A daily meditator for nearly 55 years, John lived a spiritual life.  His spiritual principles were shaped by Zen Buddhism, and one of his favorite books, the Prophet by Khalil Gibran, which he read every day for a year during college (quite a feat for someone who has dyslexia!). Passages from this book have been integrated at every significant milestone our family has experienced. John's lasting spiritual legacy remains for some a source of mystery and for others a source of inspiration.

As a father, John embodied peace, wisdom, care, and kindness. He is a testament to the effectivity of a gentle and intuitive leadership style. John was not one to insert himself or apply force on anyone's decision making or thoughts. He fostered growth and confidence in his children by being a source of calm and patience; creating a stable and warm foundation to learn and grow.

A lover of Star Wars, Star Trek, and Lord of the Rings, John's character was akin to some of the great wise figures from these series. He also loved playing chess and tennis, reading, and visiting forts and historic places.  John loved history, especially human evolution and Roman history. Over his lifetime he developed many thought-provoking theories on diverse topics of science, human nature, and the fall of Rome.

Following the progressive challenges of frontotemporal dementia over the past five years, John passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Oceanside, California on June 12th at 7:07pm. He will be cremated through the Poway Bernardo Mortuary.

Remembered by his family and friends as a gentle soul, both intelligent and warm in spirit, John is preceded in death by his daughter Joanna Caitlin Wheaton, and his parents Richard John Wheaton and Patricia McKinley Wheaton. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joyce Race Wheaton, his son, Jonathon Tyler Wheaton, and his daughter, Jenna Renee Wheaton.

Joyce, Jenna and Jonathon wish to extend a special thank you to Susan, Joseph, Consuelo, and Robert, whose incredible care allowed us the privilege of keeping John under our own care, most recently at Jenna's home. An extra special thank you to Daniel Brown, Jenna's husband, who showed incredible patience, compassion (and physical strength!) in caring for John, including welcoming him into his and Jenna's home.

Please join us for John's celebration of life and 75th birthday party at 4pm on Sat 19th July 2025 at the Rancho Arbolitos Swim and Tennis Club. All are welcome. To help us prepare, please RSVP by Sunday, July 13, by texting 858-829-0075.

We love you forever, John. Now, you have truly become one with the Force. May we let your calm and compassionate wisdom guide our hearts until we join you.