Lawrence Weaver, Jr.

REMEMBERING LAWRENCE WEAVER, JR.

Lawrence "Larry" Weaver, Jr. was born on November 3, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri to Lawrence Weaver Sr and Sara Louise (Jones) Weaver. Larry was the eldest of seven siblings. At an early age, he became a member of Saint Andrews Methodist Church in Kansas City where he served as an usher and sang in the youth choir. Larry graduated from Lincoln High School, and he went on to attend Grandview College, majoring in history. He was one of the first African Americans to integrate this college. With a strong sense of serving his country, he joined the United States Air Forces in 1951. The military was a good fit for Larry, as it allowed him to travel aboard to destinations that included Africa, Guam, Europe, Vietnam, and Japan.  

While stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, he met and married the love of his life, Renata Elizabeth Tullis. The two raised two beautiful daughters, Kim and Karen. The family joined him on his tour to Japan where they enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip by taking in the beautiful culture, incredible sights, and interesting foods. The family lived there for 3½ years before moving to San Antonio, Texas, in 1965. Larry spent the remainder of his career in San Antonio and retired from the military at Kelly AFB in 1977. He started his second career as the Bar Manager for the NCO (Non-Commission Officers) club at Kelly AFB, which allowed him to stay connected to all his military friends and associates. He retired from the NCO club and became an election judge and the self-appointed mayor of the housing development he lived in for more than 50 years. Larry, Renata, and Karen relocated to Lewisville, Texas, in 2019, where they lived with Kim and her family. He and Renata joined a senior center called Friends Place where he made several new friends and enjoyed calling bingo. He remained in Lewisville until he was called home to join God’s kingdom and reunited with his beloved Renata on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Surrounded by the love of his family, he transitioned peacefully.  

Larry stayed active and had many hobbies. He was an avid bowler and was very much in demand! At one time, he was Captain of his team and played in three different leagues. He took great pride in participating in the senior games, and his teams usually won or placed high in the rankings. Larry was known for his wonderful cooking skills and his famous “gumbo” that family and friends enjoyed at many Weaver-McDonald gatherings. But most people who knew him knew he LOVED to dance! If you came to a party where Larry was present, he would have you on the dance floor doing his impersonation of Sherman Hemsley from the Jefferson’s or his infamous hand signals and singing “Weaver in the House”.  Larry had an amazing ability to make friends instantly and always made you feel loved and welcomed. We will surely miss his vibrant and fun-loving spirit. 

Larry was preceded in death by Nova Lee (McGee) and son Dennis Weaver; his loving wife, Renata Elizabeth (Tullis) Weaver; his parents, Lawrence Sr. and Sara Louise (Jones) Weaver; his sisters, Mary Louise Thomas and Frances Weaver Porter; his brother, Frank Weaver, Sr.; and his son-in-law, Charles McDonald. 

Those left to continue his legacy include his daughters, Kim Weaver-McDonald and Karen Weaver of Lewisville, Texas; brother, Robert Weaver (Alice) of Kansas City, Missouri; sisters, Margaret McElroy (Lavon) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Barbara Conway of Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Anita Swan (Lawrence); grandchildren - Kevin McDonald, Kellie McDonald, Chandria McDonald, and Cedric Roy; great-grandchildren - Preston McDonald, Kimberly McDonald, Kane Gregory, Desmine Hilliard, Kristalyn Bradley, and Benjamin Isaac Ortiz-Roy; bonus daughters - Cynthia Fitzgerald Lacy (Jerry), Carol Adams, and Joyce Payne; longtime friends - Pat Nover, Greg Salyers, Freddie Shotlow, and Robert Sutton; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

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