Frank W. Weaver was born December 28, 1926, in Louisville, Ky and spent most of his life living in the Newburg Area. Dad accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. God was his everything, he treasured his faith in God, his family, and his community. He was married in 1947 to Jewel Dean Titus for 58 years. She preceded him in death in 2005. They had two children, Gary Weaver Sr. (preceded him in death in 2002) and Andre' (Joe Wilson). Dad has 6 grandchildren: Byron, Tamara, Gary Jr, Rush, Trinity, Grace, and 10 great-grandchildren.

 

Dad was drafted to the Army Air Corps during World War II and served in Tuskegee, Alabama at the Tuskegee Air Field where he served as hanger chief and also a B25 engine mechanic. He never mentioned to me that he was part of the famed Tuskegee Airmen until after 1995 when he was honored in Prestonsburg, Ky in celebration of the release of the HBO movie The Tuskegee Airmen. Dad also was contacted to receive the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bush and later by President Obama's administration to attend the Inauguration ceremonies.

 

After the war, Dad returned to Louisville and worked at GE until his retirement 32 years later. He also owned and operated a neighborhood gas station at Newburg Road and Indian Trail for a number of years. It became the hub of our community. He was a mentor, friend, caring neighbor to all. Even Muhammed Ali visited his station! Dad became a Deacon at Forest Baptist Church as a young man and later continued God's work at First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown.

 

The last number of years of his life he traveled with the Brigadier General, Noel F. Parrish Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. Over the past couple of years, there have been scholarships awarded to Kentucky high school seniors in his name, The Frank Weaver Academic Achievement Award. He had a large contingent of friends and loved everyone he met. He was a very humble man and is going to be deeply missed by his family, church, and friends. Dad's quote to many: "Do the right thing, trust God!"