‘Campbell County will miss Ed Wheeler’ – Rhonda Longmire

TOP PHOTO: Ed Wheeler was a member of the La Follette High School Class of 1962 and was proud of it.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Whether it be the chamber of commerce, the children’s center, Roane State Community College, Community Health of East Tennessee, WETP-TV (PBS), the list goes on, Ed Wheeler was active in these entities and many others throughout the county and region.

The sad and shocking news of the passing of Eddie, as many of us knew him, came early on Monday morning. He died at his La Follette home.

“Words cannot express the loss of Ed Wheeler to this community and to those who knew him.  He was such a giving man but wanted no recognition for it,” said Rhonda Longmire, market president Community Trust Bank. Even though Longmire worked for a competing bank, there was a time when she was a key member of Wheeler’s staff at American Trust Bank of East Tennessee.

“Ed was always such a big supporter of WLAF. His father was one of the founders of the station back in 1953,” said Jim Freeman with WLAF.

David Reynolds, president of Peoples Bank of the South, was friends with Ed, and his father, Jack Reynolds knew Ed since he was a child. “He was a dear friend and a competitor. My father and I have nothing but the highest praises for Mr. Wheeler,” said David Reynolds.

“He and Carol, our neighbors, were headed home a few weeks back and was the last time Sugar and I spoke with them. Ed and Carol stopped and visited for a few minutes,” said Freeman

“We have Roane State today, the Children’s Center and many other entities that he gave so freely.  He was so proud of having a Roane State Campus in Campbell County,” said Longmire. She went on to say that if Ed called you and asked you to do something, you just did it. After all, Ed was asking.  

Reynolds recalls his last visit with Ed, just a few days ago. “We talked for a good half hour,” said Reynolds.

“I spoke to him last Thursday.  He will be so missed by all of us who loved him.  Campbell County will miss him,” said Longmire. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/09/2021-6AM)