Sgt John Harry "Junior" Weaver

July 1, 1934 - September 15, 2021

Memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at Village Chapel for John Harry “Junior” Weaver, 87, of Gadsden, previously of Houlton, Maine, who died Saturday, September 11, 2021. Fellow Marine Charlie Walker will officiate. Sgt John H Weaver was born on July 1st 1934 in Houlton Maine to parents Harry Melvin and Violet Weaver, he attended Houlton high school. When he turned 18 he joined the Marine corps where he trained at Parris Island. John served some of his time in the corps stationed at the U.S. embassy in Paris France where he had many stories of his time with fellow Marines He ran a tight ship and was considered up to his death to be hell on wheels. He served as a member of the special forces recon team during the Korean War, Sergeant Weaver was highly decorated his medals are as follows: Navy distinguished service medal, silver star, bronze star, two purple hearts, Marine corps good conduct, combat action ribbon, selected marine corps reserve medal, national defense medal, Korean service medal, united nations service medal (Korea), Navy achievement medal united nations military service commemorative medal, united nations military service security guard ribbon(embassy). He worked in Boston, Massachusetts after leaving the corps as a restaurant manager at the famous Harvard club and Chilton club. He later migrated to Birmingham and managed at the Holiday Inn restaurant and Britlings Cafeteria. He married Ginger Laverty of Gadsden in 1973 and was father of 3 children. They moved to Gadsden in 1974 where he worked at Laverty Music Co. as their credit manager and bookkeeper. In 1977 he moved to Wetumpka to work for the Alabama Prison system, He served as a cub scout master in Bay Minette Al BSA scoutmaster in troops in Wetumpka and Gadsden where he was a strong positive influence in their lives. From 1977-1985 they loved his stories and fun humor. Two of his scouts (including his son David) achieved Eagle scout rank. He received a special commendation medal from the BSA for saving a young boy from drowning. He was long time member of the masonic order. He retired from the state of Alabama in 1992 and moved back to Gadsden with his family. he made an impression wherever he went and everyone loved john. He laughed about everything he had a great sense of humor and was always singing funny little tunes. He loved his family, his daughters and son were his whole world. He was always there when we needed him. He loved teaching his children to shoot and how to survive in the wilderness, he passed on his love of the corps and guns to his children and Grandchildren. He always talked about being prepared and wanted to live in a secluded cabin in the woods of Canada. John was preceded in death by his father, Harry Melvin Weaver, who was a veteran of World War I; mother, Violet Sutherland Weaver; sister Goldie Weaver Brown; brother-in-law, Donald Brown; nephew, Francis Brown, all of Houlton, Maine. He is survived by his son, David Joseph Weaver; daughters, Sande Ellen Weaver Cox and Sonja Joan Weaver; grandchildren, Kiri Weaver, Danielle Weaver, Desirae Cramblet, and Destinie Cramblet, all of Gadsden; niece, Patti Sutherland (Rodney) Ingraham of Houlton, Maine; and several cousins in New Brunswick, Canada. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America: www.pva.org/supportveterans Special thanks to all the nurses and staff at The Col. Robert L. Howard Veterans Home, for the special care and love they showed him; and also to St. Vincent’s – St. Clair hospital staff, who were so kind to the family during their time of grief. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at Village Chapel.