Wheatley Family

Jack Robert and Mary Lois Wheatley

Jack Wheatley was born in 1928 in Robin, Idaho. He spent his early years working on the family
farm, and moved to Pocatello during his eighth grade year.

After high school graduation in 1945 , Wheatley went to Idaho State University for one year. He
then attended West Point Academy. His senior year, he met Mary Lois Sharp, who was spending a year
at New York’s Art Students League.

Upon graduation, Wheatley returned briefly to Idaho before being posted to Korea . He set off
from Seattle in August 1950 and served in the Corps of Engineers building roads and bridges. At the
end of 1951 , Wheatley returned from Korea and married Mary Lois the next year.

In 1956, Wheatley went into the construction business in Palo Alto, Calif. with his eldest
brother, serving first as vice president and, in 1967, as president of the company. Between 1963
and 1971, the company was clocking $10 million a year in business volume. In 1967, the same year
that Wheatley took control of his company , he ran for Palo Alto City Counci l, becoming mayor in
1970.

Wheat ley’ s public service has been wide-ranging. He has served as president of the Stanford
Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, as a director and trustee on the Stanford University Hosp
ital board and, since 1986 , as a director of San Jose’s Tech Museum . The museum honored him
with its Inspiration Award and, in 1 983, Palo Alto’s Chamber of Commerce named him a Tall Tree
honoree.

Throughout the years , Jack and Mary’s support of the University has been extraordinary and
deeply appreciated. They have endowed several scholarships for ISU students and most recently are
funding a long-term project for campus wide beautification. Their contributions and personal
touch will forever impact Idaho State University.