Funeral Services with Military Honors for Samuel Ross Weaver, 79, of Kilgore will be held on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore. Rev. Barry Metz will be officiating. Sam slipped away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 11, 2016 in Kilgore.
Sam was born on September 7, 1936 in Natchitoches Parish, Ward 2, LA. to Sam P. and Gertrude Weaver.
After graduating from Bossier High School in 1955 he enlisted in and courageously served in the United States Air Force from 1957 - 1977.
He received his wings in 1958 and was assigned to the KC 97 out of Channault AFB, Lake Charles, LA.
There he met his wife of 56 years, Deanna V. Brown of Shreveport. LA. He received his Master's in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology before being sent to Vietnam to fly 274 missions as a O2 FAC pilot.
Stationed at Nellis Air Force in Las Vegas, NV from 1970- 1976, he served as a Staff Development Engineer.
Open heart surgery grounded him and after 20 years in the Air Force he retired and began teaching.
First at Kilgore College for 20 years, UT Tyler for 10 years and a year at All Saints Episcopal in Tyler.
Throw in a few years of real estate and he decided to have some "real" fun!
Three activities that gave him much joy were playing in dulcimer groups, wood carving with some great people and playing poker with the same group of guys for over 30 years.
His grandchildren kept his spirit and body young and by the time the 10 great grandchildren were born just the spirit of youthfulness caused him to "get-up-and-go"!
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Deanna; children, Brian Weaver and Melissa, Sheryl Collins, Craig Weaver and wife Carey, Samuel Watson Weaver and wife Lynnette; grandchildren, Cory Collins and wife Jena, Landry Allen and husband Matt, Scott Weaver and wife Samantha, Kalynn Oden and husband Ryan, Kyle, Ross, Cade and Trent Weaver, Lauren and Mathew Weaver, Madison, Abigail and Savanna Weaver; great-grandchildren, Corbin and Sydney Collins, Emma and Stone Allen, Kooper and Brooklyn Weaver, Kameryn Weaver, Jayce Hart, Brantley Gray and Presley Weaver; sisters, Iris Hawthorne and husband Dan and Karen Riddle; Aunt Mary Mathews; Uncle Dick Keen. Also left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and other loving family members.
Preceding him in death are his parents, step-father F.W. Riddle, brothers Wayne Weaver and Floyd Allen Riddle and a son-in-law Jerry Collins.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, February 14, 2016 from 4 until 6 in the evening.