Elvin Kerone Wheeler

Elvin Kerone Wheeler was born on Wednesday, July 20, 1938, in to the late Willie and Willie Ann Cobb. He was the youngest child of seventeen (17) siblings. He departed this life on Wednesday, September 23, 2020. Elvin’s mother, father and siblings precedes him in death.


Elvin was baptized at an early age at Wesley Chapel C. M. E. Church, located in Princeton, LA.


Elvin graduated from Princeton High School, Princeton, Louisiana, in May 1957, as the salutatorian of his class. Elvin entered Southern University A & M College in September of that year and graduated in January 1962 with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering.


At Southern, he met his wife, Jacqueline Hall, during his freshman year. They married after his junior year of college on August 13, 1960.


Upon graduating from Southern University, Elvin accepted a teaching position at his alma mater as an instructor in the Electrical Engineering Department. He resigned from his teaching position at Southern University in 1962 and moved to Southern California. He began an electrical engineering career with Lockheed Aircraft Company, Missile and Space Division in Van Nuys, California, as one of the first black engineers recruited from a historically Black university. During his tenure at Lockheed, Elvin worked with the Apollo space program designing electrical systems for the Saturn V rocket that ultimately sent a man to the moon. Over the next thirteen years, he worked for various aerospace companies that were instrumental in designing and producing many of today’s airplanes.


His career allowed him to travel extensively throughout the United States, Canada, European Countries, and Mexico.


Elvin undertook post-graduate studies and training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, USC, UCLA, and Parks College in Illinois. He completed the National Security Management program administered by the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.


Elvin enjoyed sports, competing on a bowling league, and serving as a mentor for youths as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for Boy Scouts of America, and coaching for Carson and Compton Little League baseball and basketball programs.


Elvin leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife of sixty years, Jacqueline Wheeler. Also left to cherish his memories are two (2) daughters: Karen Joyce of Haughton, LA, and Rochelle of Boston, MA; four (4) sons: Elvin Kerone, Jr; Bruce Keith, and Donald Eugene of Carson, CA, and Frank Kenya of Richmond, CA; ten grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.



Family and friends of Elvin are invited to share their favorite photos, video memories and heart felt messages on his Tribute page on the Green Hills Mortuary Website.