Tommy Wheeler of Decatur County is well deserving of the honor that he received Tuesday morning, when the Decatur County Board of Commissioners selected to name the county’s new agriculture building as the “Tommy E. Wheeler Agriculture Building.”

Wheeler was a high-school agriculture teacher from 1953 to 1960, and then served as the assistant county extension agent for four years. He then served as the head county extension agent for another 18 years.

In announcing that Wheeler had been chosen, County Administrator Gary Breedlove said that Wheeler and his wife, Claire Wheeler, “have represented themselves and Decatur County in agriculture and education in a distinguished manner throughout their lives.” Two current commissioners, Dr. David C. “Butch” Mosely and Russell Smith, were students of Wheeler’s.

Wheeler is truly deserving of this honor. Through his many years in agriculture, he touched the lives of countless members of the community. We join the County Board of Commissioners in congratulating Wheeler and his wife.