Gough Wheat

Gough Wheat died in Germantown, Tennessee on September 26, 2024, after a short illness. Gough and his twin brother, Deering (aka Sam) were born in Poinsett County, Arkansas, on December 15, 1926, to William and Nora Chandler Wheat. Gough grew up in Tyronza, Arkansas, and went to the local school there and graduated from Tyronza High School.

Gough and Sam went straight from high school into the U.S. Navy toward the latter part of World War II and served together on a troop ship in the Pacific Theater. Gough was a petty officer and a machine gunner.

After WW II, Gough moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Memphis State University on the GI bill, eventually earning both a B.S. and an M.A. He became a teacher and his first job was at Dixie High School in Obion County, Tennessee. Besides teaching, Gough also helped coach both the boys and girls basketball teams, which is where he met Dorothy Glover, although their first date was not until after she graduated from high school.

Gough moved back to Memphis to teach for the Memphis City Schools while his future wife enrolled in the Nursing School at UT Memphis. They married in 1952 and remained married for 72 years until Dorothy’s death in January 2024. The couple had two children, Timothy (Ginger) and Marcia (Thomas), and five grandsons Wheat Hotchkiss (Brittany), Newman Wheat, Chandler Hotchkiss, Austin Wheat (Caroline), and Julian Wheat. They also had two great-grandchildren Sawyer and Hadley Hotchkiss.

Gough Wheat was transferred to White Station High School when it began and taught Calculus, Trigonometry, and Physics for 30 years. “Mr. Wheat” taught hundreds of students at White Station, often teaching the sons and daughters of previous students. During his years at White Station, the school had the highest number of National Merit Scholars in the city. He had a remarkable memory and could recognize students that he hadn’t seen for years. Also, he was regularly invited to various class reunions and enjoyed catching up.

Gough also taught math in evening classes at Memphis State University and tutored many students from different schools in the city as well. In the summers, he worked at Memphis Light, Gas, and Water for many years. He overcame a difficult childhood by being an excellent math instructor as well as a hard worker, and he provided well for his family.

During the last two decades of his life, Gough was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church, Memphis, and served on the Finance Committee there. He also enjoyed sports and went to many grandsons’ games and was also a Memphis Tiger and Grizzlies fan.

In his retirement years, Gough spent many hours with his five grandsons, who he adored and they loved him deeply in return. He spent the last years of his life taking care of his wife, Dorothy, before she died in January 2024. Previously, Gough was also devoted to his brothers who lived in Memphis through their decline. Besides his family listed above, Gough was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nora Wheat, his brothers Ralph, Dowell (aka Rip), and Deering (aka Sam), his sister Lillian. In addition to his children, grandsons, and great-granddaughters, he is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will gather on Friday, December 13 from 11:30 a.m. until the memorial service begins at 12:30 p.m. all at Second Baptist Church with Dr. Stephen Cook officiating. The family asks that any memorial donations be given to Second Baptist Church, Memphis, or the American Cancer Society.