Mr. Jessie Edward “Buck” Wheat, age 91, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Sunday, September 20, 2026, at his home.

Buck was born December 17, 1934, in Gordon County, Georgia, a son of the late Willard Frank and Ivie Ollie Burns Wheat. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of seventy-three years, Louise Broom Wheat, who passed away October 23, 2025; and his brothers, Ralph (Dot) Wheat, Randall Wheat, and Richard (Irene) Wheat.

Buck was a lifelong truck driver who retired from Watkins Motor Lines. He was a hardworking and honest man who took great pride in providing for his family and living his life with integrity. For Buck, the open highway was more than a job—it was something he truly loved. He enjoyed traveling the highways in his truck, seeing the countryside, and experiencing the freedom that came with being behind the wheel.

Music was another great love in Buck’s life. He was a well-known and talented Bluegrass musician, and his love for Bluegrass music brought him many friendships, memories, and opportunities to share his gift with others. Whether working on the road, making music, or spending time with those he loved, Buck had a way of making the most of the life he had been given.

Above all, Buck cherished his wife, Louise. Their seventy-three years together were a testament to a lifetime of love, devotion, and companionship. Though she preceded him in death, the love they shared remained an important part of who Buck was, and he will now be laid to rest beside his beloved wife.

Buck will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, hardworking truck driver, talented Bluegrass musician, and an honest and dependable man. His family will treasure the memories of his life, his music, his stories from the road, and the love he so freely gave them.

He is survived by his daughter, Elaine and Brent Watkins of Dalton, GA; son, Doug and Lynne Wheat of Chatsworth, GA; grandchildren, Calvin Wheat of Chatsworth, GA, Jennifer Watkins (Kris Davidson) of Dalton, GA, and Jessica Watkins of Arlington, VA; great-grandchildren, Ivan (Mollie) Wheat of Ringgold, GA, Evan Wheat of Chatsworth, GA, and Michael Watkins of Dalton, GA; sisters, Sue and George Morrison, JoAnn and Jimmy Teasley, and Darlene Pritchard; and several nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Jessie Edward “Buck” Wheat will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Reverend Johnny Beason and Reverend Lamar Beason officiating. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at Harmony Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with grandson, Calvin Wheat, Ivan Wheat, Evan Wheat, Michael Watkins, Kris Davidson, and nephews, Chad Wheat and Heath Morrison honored to serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and after 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning until the service hour.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30721, (706) 226-4002.“Your Selected Independent Funeral Home”