Joe Neal Weaver was born November 5, 1951, to Oscar Lee and Elva Weaver (Conway) in Dallas, Texas, the youngest of four children. He died after a lengthy illness on September 7, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 71, surrounded by his family. Joe grew up in Denton, Texas, and attended area schools. He distinguished himself on the basketball court for Denton High School. After high school, Joe began his automotive career at JC Penney's automotive department. After that, he went to Bill Utter Ford in the Service Department, where he worked his way up to Service Manager, after which he went to Metro Ford. Making a career change, he was involved in ranching and later managed a building material warehouse. While Joe could (and did) fix anything, his passion (other than his family) was all things automotive. In addition to it being the bulk of his career, he also built race cars and raced them on drag strips in the area. He was generous with his time with his extended family with car repairs and car purchases. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church Joe is predeceased by his mother and father and brother Dennis. He is survived by his brother Glenn, sister Vicky (Norton), wife Laurel (Nixon), sons Christopher (Shawna), Michael, and Garrett (Joanna), granddaughters Caitlyn Nicole, Camron Bailey, and Karlee, and grandson Ford Stephen, plus nieces, and nephews. His memorial service was held November 5, 2023 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ft Worth, Texas.
I can hardly remember a time when Joe was not in my life. Through most of my adolescence, he was either directly involved in my day to day living, or close by waiting for me to tell him about it. We first became friends in 1965, in the 8th grade. I was thirteen, Joe was 14. He was four months older than me. I’ll spare you the math—it was 58 years ago. Being slightly older became a running joke between us. On his birthday, I would always tell him I wanted to see how he did before agreeing to take the next step myself.
One of my earliest memories of Joe — confirmed by a couple of photos, was when we were talked into performing at a Junior High talent show. There were three of us, Joe, Bryan Hartline, a classmate, and myself. And by the way, Bryan is here today. Joe could play the guitar, Bryan and I could sing a little. We named ourselves, The Rovers, and sang two popular folk songs: Green Green, and Blowing in the Wind. Folk music was pretty hot back in 1965!
When I think about our lives then, I remember a quote from a book written by L.P. Hartly. He wrote, “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” For example, In Texas in 1966, at age 14, Joe and I got our driver’s licenses. The wisdom of this being a good idea withstanding, there was no stopping us after that. The wide-open spaces of Texas, and big cars with big engines was an undeniable siren’s song. Joe found his avocation as well as one of his future vocations — all things automotive. He could fix anything. He often tried to teach me - he even gave me my first tool kit, but I didn’t have his engineer’s mind, tactile skills, or monk-like patience.
Cars, we soon learned, were not the best thing on the horizon. As you can probably guess—we discovered girls. Joe was always popular, confident, and an athlete. He was on the varsity basketball team. The best of both worlds.
Even then we talked about everything - our crush’s, our conquests, our break-ups and wondered aloud who we would find to love. We were also seventeen, so after a double date and dropping our dates off at home at a respectable 10:30 pm, we would head out to cruise the strip in Denton. By now Joe had owned a 1956 Chevy and was now driving a 1965 Pontiac GTO. This was a real go-fast car. We spent more than a few Saturday nights on dark Texas back roads trying to prove whose car was the fastest. Joe tried to teach me how to drive these souped-up machines, but I was more of a VW kinda guy. Once, he talked me into driving the GTO down the strip. It had a racing clutch and I kept stalling it out while we were still parked in front of Sandy’s drive-in. The following year we both graduated from high school—Joe lettered in basketball.
Then the world changed.
I joined the Marines. Joe got married. Both good things, as it turned out.
I remember how Joe beamed when Christopher and Michael were born. They were his pride and joy.
Down the road, life erupted, rattled, and shifted again, then Joe was blessed to meet Laurie, the love of his life. Soon Garrett, his third pride and joy came along.
Joe lived his best life, right here with all of you, his beautiful family, and friends.
With rare exception, Joe and I talked once a week on the phone. We talked as good friends do, about our jobs, our families, our successes—and sometimes, our failures. We talked of old friends, and those who had been taken too soon. As the years passed, we began to talk of our own aches, pains, and fears. In the end, we talked mostly about joy. Joe, through everything he experienced, never gave in, and never wanted pity. He was grateful for his life. In fact he was amazed to be here. This was the gift he gave to me; the strength to someday walk right up to the abyss and not blink. Joe was my dearest friend. I loved him and we told each other that every time we spoke.
What great memories you have of Joe! Having a friend like that for all those years is so cool! It's like time stands still between visits. I remember Joe playing basketball! He was good! He was a good guy, too! Im glad you shared your story with the class of 1970. We are a class of amazing people! RIP Joe!
Vicky, thank you for your comments. I do miss him. As I watch the 'In Memory' section for the Class of 1970 grow each year, I realize that we all have been astoundingly lucky to have grown up when and where we did, and to have known each other, if for only a short time--or, for some like Joe, a lifetime. I am also certain that as our small cadre of classmates spread out across the world we made it a better place for our children, and hopefully eveyone else.
Gary Rhyne
Joe Neal Weaver was born November 5, 1951, to Oscar Lee and Elva Weaver (Conway) in Dallas, Texas, the youngest of four children. He died after a lengthy illness on September 7, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 71, surrounded by his family. Joe grew up in Denton, Texas, and attended area schools. He distinguished himself on the basketball court for Denton High School. After high school, Joe began his automotive career at JC Penney's automotive department. After that, he went to Bill Utter Ford in the Service Department, where he worked his way up to Service Manager, after which he went to Metro Ford. Making a career change, he was involved in ranching and later managed a building material warehouse. While Joe could (and did) fix anything, his passion (other than his family) was all things automotive. In addition to it being the bulk of his career, he also built race cars and raced them on drag strips in the area. He was generous with his time with his extended family with car repairs and car purchases. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church Joe is predeceased by his mother and father and brother Dennis. He is survived by his brother Glenn, sister Vicky (Norton), wife Laurel (Nixon), sons Christopher (Shawna), Michael, and Garrett (Joanna), granddaughters Caitlyn Nicole, Camron Bailey, and Karlee, and grandson Ford Stephen, plus nieces, and nephews. His memorial service was held November 5, 2023 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ft Worth, Texas.
Gary Rhyne
For Joe
Joe Weaver’s Memorial, November 5, 2023
Gary J. Rhyne
I can hardly remember a time when Joe was not in my life. Through most of my adolescence, he was either directly involved in my day to day living, or close by waiting for me to tell him about it. We first became friends in 1965, in the 8th grade. I was thirteen, Joe was 14. He was four months older than me. I’ll spare you the math—it was 58 years ago. Being slightly older became a running joke between us. On his birthday, I would always tell him I wanted to see how he did before agreeing to take the next step myself.
One of my earliest memories of Joe — confirmed by a couple of photos, was when we were talked into performing at a Junior High talent show. There were three of us, Joe, Bryan Hartline, a classmate, and myself. And by the way, Bryan is here today. Joe could play the guitar, Bryan and I could sing a little. We named ourselves, The Rovers, and sang two popular folk songs: Green Green, and Blowing in the Wind. Folk music was pretty hot back in 1965!
When I think about our lives then, I remember a quote from a book written by L.P. Hartly. He wrote, “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” For example, In Texas in 1966, at age 14, Joe and I got our driver’s licenses. The wisdom of this being a good idea withstanding, there was no stopping us after that. The wide-open spaces of Texas, and big cars with big engines was an undeniable siren’s song. Joe found his avocation as well as one of his future vocations — all things automotive. He could fix anything. He often tried to teach me - he even gave me my first tool kit, but I didn’t have his engineer’s mind, tactile skills, or monk-like patience.
Cars, we soon learned, were not the best thing on the horizon. As you can probably guess—we discovered girls. Joe was always popular, confident, and an athlete. He was on the varsity basketball team. The best of both worlds.
Even then we talked about everything - our crush’s, our conquests, our break-ups and wondered aloud who we would find to love. We were also seventeen, so after a double date and dropping our dates off at home at a respectable 10:30 pm, we would head out to cruise the strip in Denton. By now Joe had owned a 1956 Chevy and was now driving a 1965 Pontiac GTO. This was a real go-fast car. We spent more than a few Saturday nights on dark Texas back roads trying to prove whose car was the fastest. Joe tried to teach me how to drive these souped-up machines, but I was more of a VW kinda guy. Once, he talked me into driving the GTO down the strip. It had a racing clutch and I kept stalling it out while we were still parked in front of Sandy’s drive-in. The following year we both graduated from high school—Joe lettered in basketball.
Then the world changed.
I joined the Marines. Joe got married. Both good things, as it turned out.
I remember how Joe beamed when Christopher and Michael were born. They were his pride and joy.
Down the road, life erupted, rattled, and shifted again, then Joe was blessed to meet Laurie, the love of his life. Soon Garrett, his third pride and joy came along.
Joe lived his best life, right here with all of you, his beautiful family, and friends.
With rare exception, Joe and I talked once a week on the phone. We talked as good friends do, about our jobs, our families, our successes—and sometimes, our failures. We talked of old friends, and those who had been taken too soon. As the years passed, we began to talk of our own aches, pains, and fears. In the end, we talked mostly about joy. Joe, through everything he experienced, never gave in, and never wanted pity. He was grateful for his life. In fact he was amazed to be here. This was the gift he gave to me; the strength to someday walk right up to the abyss and not blink. Joe was my dearest friend. I loved him and we told each other that every time we spoke.
Godspeed, Joe.
Vicky Vinson (Wardlaw)
What great memories you have of Joe! Having a friend like that for all those years is so cool! It's like time stands still between visits. I remember Joe playing basketball! He was good! He was a good guy, too! Im glad you shared your story with the class of 1970. We are a class of amazing people! RIP Joe!
Gary Rhyne
Vicky, thank you for your comments. I do miss him. As I watch the 'In Memory' section for the Class of 1970 grow each year, I realize that we all have been astoundingly lucky to have grown up when and where we did, and to have known each other, if for only a short time--or, for some like Joe, a lifetime. I am also certain that as our small cadre of classmates spread out across the world we made it a better place for our children, and hopefully eveyone else.