Tim Wheless, Logansport football's stat keeper for over 30 years, dies from COVID-19

Longtime Logansport football statistician Tim Wheless lost his battle with COVID-19 this week. He was 52.

Wheless compiled statistics at virtually every Logansport football game since 1987. That’s 30-plus years of numbers and a lot of love for Tigers football that will be tough to replace.

“Through good and bad, ups and downs, heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, ice — Tim was on the sidelines with his clipboard,” Logansport coach Kevin Magee said. “He is the most loyal and devoted friend, father, husband and Christian a person could be.

"Tim always had a smile on his face and was upbeat and positive on all fronts. He will be immensely missed by me personally, this program and this community.” 

DAVID BRYANT: COVID-19 also claimed the life of longtime coach this week

JAVIER SIMPSON: Former Logansport athlete never made it to friend's house

Wheless was admitted into CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System - Highland July 26 after having been diagnosed with COVID-19 a week earlier. He developed pneumonia and died Wednesday.

The family will hold a visitation Sunday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Logansport with the funeral service to immediately follow.

“Tim was one of a kind. His knowledge of LHS football stats was absolutely unbelievable,” posted Kandi Magee on her Facebook page. “The sidelines will never be the same. Heaven gained a true angel. We miss you already, Tim!”

Kevin Magee, who began his Logansport career as an 8-year-old ball boy in 1988, said the death hit his community hard. 

“Every away game (as kids) we either rode with coach Dale Morvan, or Tim, to and from the game until we were old enough to play and had to ride the bus,” Magee said. “To my knowledge there are only a handful of games that he missed and for those he watched film to update the stats. So, in my 33 years of walking the sidelines in the fall, I shared 21 of those years with Tim.”

Known for distributing hugs, Wheless was a youth pastor at Bethel United Methodist Church who loved fishing and going to the beach. He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Susan, and three daughters, as well as his mother, Shirley Wheless.

Wheless worked for Ken Murphey Surveys in Mansfield as an office supervisor for more than 20 years. In addition to football stats, he chronicled the statistical wins of the Logansport softball team when his cousin, Jennifer Guillotte Wheless, played for the Lady Tigers. 

Twitter: @JimmyWatson6