Jack Wheatley – A Lifelong Builder

Jack Wheatley revolutionized what it meant to be a builder, using his engineering expertise in creating homes, office buildings, schools and shopping centers.

BYU is extremely grateful for the Wheatleys’ longstanding involvement with our university. They were instrumental in the construction, planning and initial art collection for BYU Museum of Art as well as in helping acquire Carl Bloch’s Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda masterpiece for it.

Early Life and Education

Over three decades, Jack Wheatley utilized his engineering background to construct homes, schools, offices, civic buildings and the Oakland California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His attention to detail played an integral part in his success.

Even among her fellow colonists, her poetry was highly respected and enjoyed in England where it was published as Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral in 1773. Notable figures like George Washington and John Hancock both supported it.

Her poetry encompassed classical forms and techniques such as iambic pentameter, couplets and elegy poems; her poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America”, highlighted her spiritual yearning for equal opportunity in America.

Professional Career

As an attorney, he specialized in workers’ comp cases. Governor Snyder appointed him to the Michigan Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission in 2011 where he handled both unemployment and workers’ comp appeals.

Wheatley founded his construction business with his wife shortly after leaving the military, eventually growing through partnerships with Jacobsen Construction. Over time, they became responsible for developing portions of Stanford University’s campus such as Faculty Club and Maples Pavilion.

Jack Wheatley always made time in his life to assist others, emphasizing family values and instilling hard work and patriotism into his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Additionally, he excelled as an athlete on all three levels: professional, collegiate, and high school coaching.

Achievement and Honors

Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley have left an immeasurable mark on Brigham Young University through their generosity. Their support played an integral part in constructing, planning and collecting artworks for BYU Museum of Art.

Donations were also given to help BYU enhance its landscape through donations. Their landscaping expertise and planting of thousands of trees on campus are well known.

They have also contributed significantly to academic scholarships. Just this year alone, 11 BYU students have been honored with the JMC Outstanding Senior Award: Myrah Rafiah Beaverly and Troy Distelrath were chosen in Comparative Cultures and Politics while Qing Guan received it for Social Relations and Policy (SRP). Each honor comes with a cash prize of $500.

Personal Life

After graduating from West Point, Jack Wheatley implemented its motto of “duty, honor and country” into his everyday life. He learned the value of hard work and constant pursuit of excellence to become successful both professionally and at home. Furthermore, Jack leaned heavily on God while measuring success based on its impact on others.

His late wife, Mary Lois Cannon Sharp Wheatley, had a profound impact on him as well. She taught him how to love and appreciate people from different backgrounds. Together they served the Denver Colorado Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which provided invaluable experience identifying the needs of others, particularly children and education initiatives.

Net Worth

Jack used his work ethic and engineering knowledge to establish a successful real estate development business, producing homes, subdivisions, apartments and condominiums as well as hospitals, schools, shopping centers civic buildings and temples for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BYU has been the primary beneficiary of the Wheatleys’ charitable contributions over four decades, as their gifts have touched virtually every corner of campus.

At Brigham Young University (BYU), they have made one of their most obvious contributions by planting thousands of trees – starting as small projects with just a few, eventually growing to include hundreds and even thousands on campus. Furthermore, this couple have supported programs, facilities, faculty members and even encouraged others to get involved with philanthropy on BYU campuses.