Kenneth Neal Weaver
Born May 11, 1933 in Geary, OklahomaDeparted April 23, 2024 in Rockledge, Florida
Kenneth Neal Weaver passed away peacefully on April 23, 2024.
He was born on May 11,1933, in Geary, Oklahoma to the late Noah Cleveland Weaver and Hazel Gladys Trusty.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan Marie Weaver, his son Kenneth Neal Weaver, Jr., his daughters Jill (Ray) Norman and Dana (Jeffrey) Whitehurst; his grandchildren Melissa (Tyler) Keagle, Patrick, Peter, and Bryan Whitehurst, Nikki and Taylor Weaver, Stephanie and Stacy Norman; his nieces Charlotte Hays, Kay Fisk, and Joy Meier; and his nephews Jack Wiebener and Dennis McNeil.
He was preceded in death by his sisters Jean McNeil, and June Wiebener.
Ken enlisted in the Air Force, through which he was given an opportunity to travel the world. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gathering valuable information while on a mission during the Korean conflict. He then graduated from Navigator Training and served on a B47 bomber. While he was at his home base, Mac Dill Air Force Base in Florida, he met the love of his life, Joan Hickey.
When he was released from active duty he attended The University of Alabama. He and Joan were married in 1961 and he graduated as an Electrical Engineer in 1962.
He began his civilian engineering career with Honeywell Corporation in St. Petersburg, Florida, working on Navigation and Guidance Systems for rockets and space systems. After 5 years, he joined IBM at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station working on the instrument unit of the Saturn V launch vehicle. Later in his career, he joined The Aerospace Corporation working on the Guidance and Navigation system of the Titan launch vehicle. He stayed with The Aerospace Corporation until he retired 23 years later.
Ken was a lifelong Alabama football fan and loved being a father and Papa. He was a great friend to many and brought humor and smiles to everyone.
A celebration of life will be held on May 25, 2024 at Church of Our Saviour in Cocoa Beach, Florida at 10:30 AM. The service will be officiated by Fr. Fred Ruse, a close family relative. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Office/Sister Diocese, Diocese of Orlando, P.O. Box 1800, Orlando, FL 32802 or visit How to Help at orlandodiocese.org.
