Where's Ray LePere, Dick Wheeler?

[MikeShannon914]

There's a couple of old DFW radio names for ya...but both have been flying way under the radar after their retirements. Anyone know the status of either? I heard LePere passed away, but can't confirm it.

 

[unclepudd]

It has been a long time ago but Ray was working for the Dallas Sheriff's Department and Wheeler was living on his boat at Lake Texoma. Haven't heard from either in years but have also wondered what happened to them. Ray was one of the great good guys. Wheeler was one of the two best newsmen I ever worked with. Watkins was the other.

 

[FlyOnWall]

I heard LePere passed away, but can't confirm it.

Taking a trip back in the magic time machine...I actually worked for Ray LePere as an ambulance driver when he ran that division at Dudley Hughes Funeral Home on Jefferson in Oak Cliff. Back then, funeral homes held the City of Dallas contract for emergency ambulance services, long before the days of EMS and the Fire Department. YEAH...I always thought funeral homes running ambulances was something of a conflict of interest too!

Ray was just beginning his duties as a part time news guy at KVIL in the "original cast" days when Ron, Jack, and Hugh were just starting out on top at the Highland Park Bank location. I later joined Ray there, along with Ben Laurie and others, doing afternoon drive news. So, now instead of driving the ambulance, I was "chasing" it.

Ray, along with Jay "Ward" Tinkle (WFAA Radio and others) migrated to the Dallas County Sherriff's communication section some years later. Haven't heard from any of them in well over 40 years! Ray also was featured in several minor movie and TV roles (major movies...just usually minor parts.)

 

[unclepudd]

Thanx Fly for another memory! I also worked with Jay at WFAA. Heck of a voice from such a small guy.

If Shannon doesn't know where they are then they probably aren't.. I check his website often to make sure I'm not listed as a goner.

 

[dfaulkner]

Never met them, but, heard Dick Wheeler often when I was growing up. KRLD was on in my grandparents house in Oak Cliff for at least part of every day.

Another story that came to mind (None of this is answering Mike's question. ;D )

One time at KTNS another employee handed me some wire copy & challeged me to read it to him like I was on the air. (Don't know why, maybe he was having a bad day. ) When I finished, he said; "You sound like Dick Wheeler." The way he said it, I don't think he meant it as a compliment. But I took it as one anyway.

 

[donicus]

I found this on line, but I have no idea how current it is:

http://www.texasradiohalloffame.com/dickwheeler.html

 

[MikeShannon914]

Thanks to all for the help and great stories! I did some investigating and found that Wheeler lives with his son in Plano now, and turns 85 this year. Lepere actually lives pretty close to me.

 

[longtimelistener]

I had the honor/pleasure of working with Dick Wheeler before he left radio for his sailboat at Texoma. I felt like a wet-behind-the-ears kid getting to work with DFW's "Walter Cronkite" in those days. Glad to hear he's still with us.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Far as I can tell, Wheeler's still with us...but that posted article is from 2004, and I know from Hubcap, the longevity for folks with congestive ht failure is usually limited. BUT...I sent off a letter Tues to his son. Hopefully my info's right and Dick's alive and doing ok. I'll post an update if and when I hear back. Did the same for Ray LePere.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Good news! Dick Wheeler IS alive and well, at an assisted living center south of Dallas, per his son.

 

[unclepudd]

Mike,

Please pm me if possible with Wheeler's location. I would like to visit him if allowable.

 

[dfaulkner]

Good news! Dick Wheeler IS alive and well, at an assisted living center south of Dallas, per his son.

Good to hear.