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For three decades, Lee Alex Wheeler served as Treasurer for the Green Horizon Land Trust. He was also the former Lake Wales Mayor and City Commissioner. Alex Wheeler passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

 

 

Champion for the natural world and open spaces

Alex served on the Board of the Green Horizon Land Trust from 1992 – 2020, the City Commission from 2001-2009, and as Mayor in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2008. Throughout his time in office he championed environmental issues and helped get curbside recycling in Lake Wales. He proposed and instituted the Utility Lifeline Program, which assists low-income individuals to only pay base rate for their utilities.

Our hearts ache for the loss of a great friend
– Lou Parrott

Professionally, he was a Certified Public Accountant with Bunting Tripp and Ingley in Lake Wales. As a public servant, he was tireless. Both as Commissioner and as Vice-President of the Historic Lake Wales Society he supported Historic Preservation Projects. He worked with Mimi Hardman to restore the 1919 School Complex as well as the old City Hall. He worked with the Polk County Commission to get an Adult Day Care Center in Lake Wales.

I met Alex in the early 70’s I think. He was LWSHS Class of 71, his brother Bill Class or 72, I was Class of 73. I cannot recall a single occasion when Alex was other than kind, decent and thoughtful. That’s a lot of years without a bad mark… – Richard McKinley

He was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to fill a vacancy on the Polk County School Board in 1998. Other organizations he was affiliated with include Lake Wales Charter Schools, the Greater Lake Wales Healthcare Foundation, Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy, Rotary Club of Lake Wales and others.

Alex asked me to swear him in when he was elected to the school board. Since he used a Bible I held that in one hand while raising my right as is the tradition. Which left no hand to hold the oath - which of course I hadn't memorized. I sincerely hope there is no video of this. – Mike Raiden

It is no surprise he was named Citizen of the Year by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council (2010).

It’s so hard to wake up each day without him! I am getting so much love and comfort from all these messages. Thank you so much for forwarding them. GHLT has been family for many years! Thank you everyone for your kind words, funny memories and care. My heart is broken - Mandy Cilliers

Read more about Alex here in the full obituary. As Tom Palmer remarks,"It is often hard to know what to say at a time like this. We've lost a great board member, community leader..."