LTC (Retired) John S. Weaver's Obituary
LTC (Ret) John Sebastian Weaver passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2023 at his home in Steilacoom, Washington with his wife and sons by his side. John suffered a devastating brain injury in 2012 while on active military duty that forever altered the course of his life. He persevered mightily through his challenges and remained a wonderful father, excellent friend, dedicated soldier, and deeply spiritual person. John entered this world on October 29, 1960 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was a third-generation soldier with a father, grandfather, and several beloved uncles who were all career Army and Air Force officers including his namesake, 1LT John Lonergan Weaver, who died in combat during the Korean War. John followed in the family tradition by serving 23 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as an Infantry officer and then as a Special Forces Green Beret. He had a break in service in 1993 and then resumed his military career after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. He retired from active military service on June 1, 2013 at Fort Lewis, WA with his wife of 31 years, Rebecca (Becky), and his two sons, Daniel and Beau. John’s early years as an “army brat” allowed him to live in many places including South Korea, Belgium, Virginia, and finally Leavenworth, KS where he graduated high school in 1979. These experiences helped develop his world view, cemented his love of travel, and most importantly, formed his core values. Although John earned a basketball scholarship elsewhere, he chose to attend the University of Kansas with several close friends, ultimately graduating with a journalism degree in 1983. With his usual tenacity he worked his way through college as a janitor at the student hospital. John was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1984 after attending Army Basic Training and Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His first assignment was as a Mechanized Infantry Platoon Leader in former West Germany. He was especially proud of guarding the border from the “Soviet hordes” during the Cold War. He was very proud of his service with 152 Infantry. He made many lifelong friends and was mentored by several wonderful commanders. This experience influenced him profoundly and served him well for the entirety of his military career. After attending the Military Intelligence Advanced Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ John turned his boundless energy and temerity to completing the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, NC. Of the approximately 100 officers in the class to attempt this very rigorous, exhausting course, only 13 graduated. His next assignment was First Special Forces Group, Airborne, Fort Lewis, WA.As a Special Forces officer, he had many deployments, mostly to countries in South Asia such as Thailand, Guam, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea. His natural exuberance and high energy served him well leading an A Team. He was an exceptional leader and admired by all that served with him. John’s other assignments included stints at SOCOM in Tampa, FL, a combat deployment to Afghanistan, SOCPAC in Hawaii, G-3 in the Pentagon, and a year at Fort Lewis after suffering a brain injury. He relished each tour of duty (except for the Pentagon). He often (half) jokingly lamented his time at the Pentagon saying it was what caused his abrupt health decline.
John and his wife Becky met when they were both stationed at Fort Lewis. They instantly connected as they both had so much in common; being fellow army brats, holding similar values, love of microbrews, and a shared sense of humor. They were married on April 25, 1992, at the Main Post Chapel on Fort Lewis, WA. It was a short whirlwind honeymoon in Vancouver B.C. as John deployed 3 days later and Becky returned to her deployment in the Sinai, Egypt. John and Becky share two sons, Daniel Lamar and Beau Brady. They were the love of his life. He had tremendous pride in them and was an enthusiastic supporter of all their endeavors and accomplishments. He will be truly missed and never forgotten by them. The Lord shattered the mold with John. He was a true original and an indefatigable force of nature! A friend aptly described him as “indomitable”. John was strong as an ox and had an internal motor that wouldn’t stop. A tireless worker, he never quit at anything, ever. John had a quick, and at times, devastating wit. He was the life of any crowd, large or small, and would work a room, adding energy and sizzle to any gathering. An exuberant supporter all things sport, John was an intense competitor, a terrible golfer, an avid Jayhawk fan and loved the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a great father, wonderful husband, and a man of deep faith. John loved his family, friends, and Special Forces comrades in arms with zeal. May he rest in peace.John is survived by his wife Becky, sons Daniel and Beau, sisters Mary Beth Weaver and Julie Humpton, nephews Jeffrey Humpton, 1LT Andrew Humpton, and Bennet Humpton, brother-in-law John Humpton, sisters-in-law Mary Peterson, Cindy French, and Marianne Chase, many cousins, and numerous close friends. Donations, while not expected, would be sincerely appreciated to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnel To Towers Foundation in John’s name. We invite you to share your memories of John in the Guest Book
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