Harris Wheeler

Harris McKoy Wheeler Sr., 76, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024, at Tranquility Hospice Care - Kennesaw Mountain, in Marietta, Georgia as his own music played softly in the background and surrounded by family and friends. Harris was born on June 14, 1947, in College Park, Georgia, the son of the late Charles B. Wheeler, Sr. and Elizabeth Lee McKoy Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life, Mary Frances Ingram Wheeler. Harris graduated from College Park High School in College Park, Georgia, in 1965 and from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, in 1969. At Shorter College, he participated in Mixed Chorus, Chorale, Oratorio Chorus, Baptist Student Union Greater Council, Wesley Foundation Vice President, Theodore Presser Music School, Accompanist for Shorter Gents, and many other organizations. There he received a degree in Music Education, and music became his lifelong passion. His mother often told the story about 3-year-old Harris, whom she found tapping the keys on the piano to play “Jesus Loves Me” without any training, just playing “by ear.” From that early beginning, Harris continued a life full of expanding, developing, refining, and sharing his musical talents with literally thousands of people. He taught hundreds and hundreds of high school students in chorus including creating and directing them in amazing musical productions and concerts. He taught at North Cobb, Pebblebrook, McEachern, and Mt. Paran High Schools in Cobb County. His McEachern Choral group was honored to be chosen to perform at Carnegie Hall, which is a reflection of his teaching abilities and dedication to his students. Harris also found the time to offer his gifts as an accompanist and judge at the annual adjudicated High School Choral Festivals in Cobb County for many years. Anyone who knew Harris recognized his gift. Music was his life. In the beginning days of Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, Harris began by playing piano in the orchestra pit and the Crystal Pistol. From there, he served as the audition pianist and casting director throughout the Southeast. He wrote and arranged the vocals and orchestration for all live shows. He served for years as the Musical Director of the Crystal Pistol Theater productions, including the music for the Halloween production of “Dead Man’s Party” which was recently performed again in October 2023 at Six Flags Over Georgia. Harris Sr. and Harris Jr. were so happy to be able to attend this performance. Harris was very proud that he once was on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson as the accompanist at the piano for guest singer, Lit Connah. The musical comedy “Della’s Diner” which was first performed at Gene & Gabe’s Theater in Atlanta, and went on to be performed off Broadway, was a musical creation of Harris’s. He wrote the music and directed the singers of that production. It has recently been produced again in several places around Georgia. He wasn’t only a pianist and accompanist and composer and arranger. Harris was also a vocal performer. He would readily tell you that the thrill of his lifetime was performing under the direction of the revered conductor, Robert Shaw, in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Harris generously shared his vast musical talents at Marietta First Baptist Church. He was Pianist there for 32 years and was named Pianist Emeritus in May, 2022. Over the years he served as the Adult Handbells Choir director, and accompanied the choir and performed with the church orchestra faithfully each week. He also was a freelance composer, arranger, and performer who gave of his gift at untold numbers of weddings and funerals, making each one special gift to those families. From that first piano piece at age three, his purpose in life was clear and he followed it unwaveringly, creating, arranging, directing, teaching, performing, and most of all, enjoying glorious music. Harris is survived by his beloved son, Harris McKoy Wheeler, Jr. of Marietta, GA; brother, Chuck (Faye) Wheeler of Fayetteville, GA, and nephews Bart (Kristie) Wheeler. and Garry Wheeler. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Go Fund Me Account, “Donate in Memory of Harris Wheeler” for Harris Wheeler, Jr., Harris’s beloved son, to assist him financially as he begins to navigate his new life. https://gofund.me/d0ae334e

Harris Wheeler

June 14, 1947 - April 10, 2024