Chester Franklin Wheeler

Chester Wheeler, a spirited, energetic leader who co-founded Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen and was a key partner in Tijuana Flats Burrito Co., passed away peacefully on Nov. 29 surrounded by family.
Born May 17, 1940 in New Orleans, Chester remained closely tied to the city of his youth throughout his life. He graduated from Harvard Business School before embarking on an illustrious 30-year career at Lockheed Martin. Chester held several financial executive positions at the aerospace giant before retiring as Chief Financial Officer and EVP of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Engineering Division.
Beloved for his quick smile, sense of humor and unwavering positive attitude, Chester was best known locally for his instrumental role as a partner and owner in Tijuana Flats. He initially lent his son Brian $30,000 to open the first restaurant near the University of Central Florida, a small investment considering the company's growth into a business generating nearly $100 million in annual sales today.
When Tijuana Flats began to take off it didn't take much convincing for the retired high-energy executive, never one to sit still, to jump in with both feet as its Chief Financial Officer. Chester stayed in that role for nearly 15 years before 'retiring' to only serve on the company's board earlier this year. Retirement didn't suit him any better the second time around, and he continued working on nearly a daily basis in the company's Maitland offices until recent weeks.
Chester's love for New Orleans never diminished, and he returned frequently, including celebrating Mardi Gras with his children and their families there on an annual basis. This shared passion between father and family culminated in Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen, which Brian and Chester Wheeler and business partner Camp Fitch created and launched early this year in Winter Park.
The restaurant is named for his Uncle "Tibby," who Chester, his son-in-law and Brian rescued from the Superdome in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and brought back to Orlando for the final years of his life. From the numerous research trips to New Orleans with Brian and Camp, to cooking up batches of gumbo and other specialties for his partners in his home kitchen, Chester was involved every step of the way as the trio developed the concept. The project brought him great joy as those around him could clearly see, and his infectious laugh was frequently heard in the restaurant from the first day it opened.
In addition to his second career in the restaurant business, Chester was involved in other ventures including the development of the Park House Academy, a private school in Winter Park founded and run by his daughter Debbie Knight. He also was involved in various real estate projects.
At work Chester was known for his quick mind and uncanny ability to analyze and crunch numbers without the benefit of a calculator, yet never took himself too seriously. He was a generous, fun-loving person who traveled frequently and never lost his zest for adventure or love of life. Regardless of any physical challenges he faced, he was someone who never had a bad day, never complained and brought a positive spirit to everyone he touched.
Chester is survived by his wife of 13 years Carol, his daughter Tracy, his daughter Debbie and her husband Pat Knight, his son Brian and his wife Rachel, three stepchildren and 14 grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Janice.