Thomas Paul Wheland

Thomas Wheland, formerly of Carlsbad California, passed away on February 5, 2024. Tom was born in San Diego, the son of Captain Karl Wheland and Anne Wheland, and brother to older sister Karen and twin sister Sandy.

In his youth, Tom attended college at Bowling Green SU in Ohio, served in the army, and worked at Disneyland in the early years of the park. While working in the offices of Forest Lawn Glendale, his eye was caught by another office worker, Peggy Martin, who had recently moved from England. Their dates included such Southern California staples as baseball games, Bobs Big Boy, and of course Disneyland. They married at the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather chapel in Forest Lawn, and had two daughters, Lisa and Lesley.

The family moved to Orange County, where Tom worked at Fluor Corporation and then Chapman University. Upon retiring, he spent much time volunteering at golf tournaments, and with the Red Cross mobile van. His hobbies included golf, reading historical novels, and traveling. When his family was young he frequently piled them in the car and took long road trips; after he retired, he and Peggy took train trips across the country and loved traveling nationally and internationally with family, though some of his favorite trips were simple drives up the California coast to Monterey, listening to his CDs of The Four Lads and Roger Whittaker.

Per his request, his ashes will be scattered at sea, off the coast of San Diego.