Leola Anne Wheeler

Leola Anne Wheeler, a trailblazing educator, Hall of Fame coach, and dedicated mentor, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at the age of 82, after a long, courageous battle with COPD. Known for her passion for sports, love of travel, and deep connections with friends, Leola dedicated her life to shaping the lives of young people across Washington State.

Born with a natural leadership spirit, Leola grew up in Raymond, Washington, where she graduated from Raymond High School. As a teenager, she managed the city recreational pool, taught swimming lessons, and trained staff members. She continued her education at Washington State University in Pullman, earning her degree and becoming a proud charter member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority chapter. She was also a lifelong member of the Delta Kappa Gamma society.

Leola’s true calling was education and athletics. She began her teaching and coaching career in junior high schools across College Place, Montesano, and Olympia. Her profound impact led her to Capital High School as a founding faculty member, where she poured her heart into the school community from 1976 to 2001. There, she served as the Head of the Physical Education department, helped rebuild the gymnasium following a flood in the 1980s, and coached Girls Gymnastics, basketball, and track & field. Breaking barriers, she eventually became Capital High School's first female Athletic Director. Her dedication to the sport was permanently recognized when she was inducted into the WIAA Gymnastics Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007.

Late in her career, Leola stepped into a rewarding new role as the Athletic Director of River Ridge High School in Lacey, Washington. This final chapter brought her journey full circle, as it gave her the unique opportunity to teach swimming lessons directly on campus—a passion she had deeply missed since her youth in Raymond.

Throughout her career, Leola shared a unique, vibrant bond with her students and athletes by keeping up with modern music and pop culture trends. Following her retirement in 2008, she kept that youthful spirit alive by tuning into pop radio stations and never missing an awards show. In her final years, she became a particularly big fan of the music of Lizzo and Doja Cat, proving that her joyful energy and love for life never faded.

Leola also found immense joy in the outdoors, spending hours working in her beautiful, large yard in Ken Lake. Her energetic and generous spirit frequently overflowed into the lives of those she loved; she was famously known to surprise her daughter, Marlene “Marti” Wheeler, by completing spontaneous yard improvement projects at Marti's Lakewood, Washington home while Marti was away at work.

Beyond her professional achievements, Leola lived life to the fullest. She was an avid sports fan, an adventurous traveler, and a cherished friend to many. Her legacy lives on in her daughter, Marti, and in the thousands of students, athletes, and families she mentored throughout her extraordinary life.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 19th at 1:00 PM at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center (2707 Conger Ave NW, Olympia, WA 98502).

One thing Leola always wanted was a bench by the Capital High School tennis courts—a simple but meaningful place for students, families, and neighbors to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Coach Wheeler's memory to fund a lasting memorial gift of all-weather tennis benches and a plaque at the school. Contributions can be made online at gofund.me/10312b3d5