Dr. Mack Robert Wedel
1933-2019
Dr. Mack Robert Wedel, age 85, of Edmond, Oklahoma, a man of extraordinary faith, peacefully went home to the Lord and Savior on May 31st, 2019. He never met a person who was not already one of his friends and was loved by all. One could count on the biggest smile, wonderful greeting, and a word of encouragement accompanied by a huge hug from “Grandad”.
He was born in Enid, Oklahoma on November 21, 1933 and raised in Fairview, Oklahoma where in the 9th grade at Fairview High School, he met 7th grader Carolyn “Sue” (Miller) Wedel. He immediately fell in love with her and would often reflect that he knew he wanted to marry her the moment he saw her. They shared a loving and committed marriage for nearly 64 years.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he began teaching in 1959 at Council Grove Elementary School, then served as principal of Western Heights Jr. High and assistant principal of NW Classen High School. In 1964, he became a professor of Professional Teacher Education at the University of Central Oklahoma where he retired in 1995. He found deep meaning in encouraging others to learn and often said he felt like “I never worked a day in my life.”
In 1980, Mack was a founding member of Faith Bible Church of Edmond, Oklahoma where he served as an elder for 16 years. Following that, he served as the leader of the sanctuary greeters until his death. As a man of strong faith, he believed in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love often quoting 1 Corinthians 2:9, “the eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him.” He believed in the beauty and peace that would await him after his passing.
Mack was devoted to his wife and family commenting often how fortunate and thankful he was for all of them. He involved himself in the details of his sons lives and adored his wife unconditionally. Mack is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Wedel; son Kent Wedel; son Greg Wedel and wife Valari; son Jeff Wedel and wife Lisa; son Todd Wedel and wife Vicky; grandchildren Blake, Brooks, Jennifer, Colby, Jess, Abby, Mark, Hannah and Emalee; great grandchildren Andie, Jack, Lewis, Nora, Harrison, and Hudson; and sisters Carol Snell, Patti Zeka, and Susan Patterson.
Greeting him in heaven: his father Gerald Wedel and wife Neva; mother Ramona Mauldin; and sister Beverly MacQueen.
Visitation will be held at Matthews Funeral Home from 5:30 to 8:00pm, Tuesday, June 4th, 2019. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00pm, Wednesday, June 5th, 2019, at Faith Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith Bible Church – Missions.
I took a class from Dr. Wedel sometime around 1986 or so. I don’t actually recall what it was, but the one thing I do remember was Mack. His way of spinning a story and relating the material was infectious and I can mark it as one of the best I ever had. I bumped into him several years later and (I’m sure to no one’s surprise) he remembered me. His ability to recall names and faces was uncanny and one which I envied. I will always remember him fondly, as I’m sure will all his former students. My condolences to his family, my thanks to Mack for all he gave me and a congratulations on a life well lived.
Dr. Wedel and I crossed paths in the waiting room of a doctor’s office just recently. Though we had never met, he did, indeed, make me feel like we were old friends. In those few minutes of conversation, I learned that he was a gentleman of great faith with a tender heart. Condolences to Mrs. Wedel. And thanks, Mack, for the friendship.