Clyde A. Wheeler
Clyde A. Wheeler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Laverne, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | August 26, 2013 (aged 92) Laverne, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Congressional relations specialist, lobbyist, businessman |
| Years active | 1950s–1988 |
| Known for | White House staff under President Eisenhower; Vice President for Government Relations at Sun Oil Company |
Clyde A. Wheeler (March 12, 1921 – August 26, 2013) was a distinguished American specialist in congressional relations, a lobbyist, and a member of the White House staff. Following his service at the White House, he relocated to Tulsa where he represented Sun Oil Company as a lobbyist until his retirement in 1984. Subsequently, he moved back to his ranch in Laverne, Oklahoma, maintaining part-time consultancy work for Washington-based law firms until 1988. He died in Laverne in 2013.
Early life
Wheeler was born in Laverne, Oklahoma and pursued studies at American Business School in Wichita, Kansas while balancing part-time employment. His initial full-time position was as office manager at Wichita Municipal Airport. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Government from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater.
Entry into politics
Upon completing his education, Wheeler became involved with Republican politics, joining the Oklahoma Republican State Central Committee in 1950 to oversee the campaign that successfully elected Page Henry Belcher to the United States House of Representatives. He then spent three years as Belcher’s executive secretary, handling public relations and managing offices both in Washington and within the district. Wheeler was also active within the Young Republicans, rising to the position of national vice chairman in 1953.
In 1954, Wheeler took a role at the United States Department of Agriculture as confidential assistant to Ross Rizley, focusing on Republican patronage management. The following year, he joined Secretary Ezra Taft Benson’s congressional liaison team, earning recognition for his effective work with Congress. This experience led Bryce Harlow to recruit him onto President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s White House staff in 1959 as a congressional liaison expert specializing in agricultural policy.
As Eisenhower’s presidency neared its conclusion, Wheeler intended to join Sunray Mid-Continent Oil Company (now Sunoco) based in Tulsa. However, political developments in Oklahoma's 6th congressional district—where incumbent Toby Morris lost the Democratic primary—opened an opportunity for Republicans amid a fragmented Democratic electorate. When the Republican nominee withdrew from the race, party leaders encouraged Wheeler to become their candidate.
Campaigning for office
After some initial reluctance, Wheeler left his White House position in August and actively campaigned for the Congressional seat representing Oklahoma. On November 8, he was declared victorious by a margin of 188 votes; however, his opponent Wickersham requested a recount. The recount uncovered counting mistakes favoring Wickersham, who was ultimately certified as the winner by mid-December. Having already prepared for relocating to Washington, Wheeler instead accepted employment with Sunray Oil in Tulsa beginning January 1961.
In his capacity as Public Affairs Representative at Sunray Oil, Wheeler tracked legislation affecting the oil industry and implemented initiatives to foster political involvement among employees. He engaged extensively with community organizations such as Goodwill Industries and served on the Oklahoma State Board of Regents starting in 1964 after being appointed by Governor Henry Bellmon—the first Republican governor of the state.
During the 1968–69 merger between Sunray Oil and Sun Oil Company, Wheeler played a key role in unifying their public affairs departments. In 1970, he advanced to Vice President for Government Relations at the newly formed Sun Oil Incorporated headquartered in Washington, D.C., where he acted as a lobbyist advocating for legislation beneficial to the oil sector. He oversaw Sun Oil’s Political Action Committee contributions supporting Congressional candidates aligned with industry interests and managed corporate philanthropic donations to cultural and educational entities including Georgetown’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Ford's Theatre.
Wheeler concluded his tenure at Sun Oil in April 1984 and returned to his ranch in Laverne, continuing part-time legislative consulting for Washington law firms until 1988.
Personal
On August 23, 1953, Clyde united in marriage with Barbara Ann Dodd in Enid, Oklahoma. Together, they raised two daughters and one son. Barbara was born on November 7, 1922, and passed away on February 20, 2003. Clyde died on August 28, 2013.