Chaplain Jerry Alden Grant Weaver departed life on this earth Friday, February 25. He celebrated his 82nd birthday in January.
Chaplain Weaver has lived in Austin since retiring from the US Army in 1994. He was a native of the Ames community near Gatesville Texas. Jerry was the third son of the late Myrtle Grant Weaver and Shafe Weaver and husband to Celia Holeyfield Weaver for 59 years. He was preceded in death by his older brothers, Donald M. Weaver of Bangor, Maine and James H. Weaver of Belton,Texas.
His Celebration of Life will be on March 29 at Manchaca United Methodist Church at 10:00 preceded by visitation at 9:00, followed by his burial at the Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery in San Antonio at 2:30.
Jerry was a graduate of Gatesville high school and Texas Wesleyan University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree. In 1966 he earned a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Later he received a Master’s Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from Chapman College in Orange County, California. Jerry’s early heritage included several circuit riding Methodist ministers. His first full time pastorate was at Nolanville, Texas. During that same time period, he founded the Harker Heights United Methodist Church. After close association with chaplains at Fort Hood, Texas, he made the decision to become a US Army chaplain in 1967. The family’s first duty assignment was Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. In 1969 he served in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star. Subsequent assignments included Fort Knox, Kentucky twice, Germany, Staten Island, New York, Fort Ord, California, Fort Hood, Texas, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the conclusion of his 27-year Army career, at the rank of Lt. Col., the Weavers retired in Austin, Texas. During his “retirement” Jerry served as the associate pastor of Manchaca United Methodist Church for seven years. After “retiring” for the second time, he then served as pastor of the Lytton Springs United Methodist Church for eight years before retiring for the third, and final, time in 2009. Jerry was well loved and appreciated by all who knew him. He loved the Lord and he loved people. His quick wit endured him to everyone. He was also well known for his beautiful singing voice. Jerry especially loved his family and was an outstanding husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Celia Holeyfield Weaver, son Wesley and daughter-in-law Barbara Weaver of Dripping Springs, daughter Debbie and son-in-law Brad Rose of Canyon Lake. Jerry is survived by seven grandchildren, Madeline and husband Jeromie Hill of Sydney Australia, Nick Weaver of San Marcos, Matt Weaver and wife Maddie of Portland, Oregon, Kelley McCoy of Austin, Logan McCoy of Canyon Lake, Britney and Josh Menck of Canyon Lake and Connor Rose of California. He is also survived by two great-granddaughters Madalynn Menck of Canyon Lake, Kira Cartagena of Austin and great-grandson Levi Hill of Sydney Australia.
