John Wayne Weaver, 84, passed away September 29, 2019 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elna Weaver. They were married 61 years.

Wayne was born January 20, 1935 in Memphis, TN and was the eldest son of Pete and Zada Weaver. He had 4 sisters and 1 brother.

Wayne and Mary had 2 children, John Coplin Weaver (wife Terry) of Springfield and Mary Kate Axlund of Rawlins, WY; grandchildren Kim Badgett of San Angelo, TX, Jessica Nash of Dallas, TX and Travis Axlund of Rapid City, SD; and two great-grandchildren.

Wayne worked for the US Department of Agriculture for many years and ended his career as a Professor at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. Wayne and Mary were lifelong members of the Church of Christ. They currently were members and loved by the Sunset Church of Christ in Springfield. Wayne was an avid adventurer and full of life. He has lived in TN, AK, TX, NM, FL, MO, SD and WY. He has put thousands of miles on his car, motorcycle and bicycle. Even in his 70s, he was riding the Katy Trails on his bicycle with his "Santa" helmet. He has played Santa Claus, gone to garage sales with his two young granddaughters to buy baby clothes for their Cabbage Patch dolls, and even had a life-sized paper doll of his grandson and took pictures with "him" all over the US on his road trips. He was a fabulous teacher throughout his life, teaching Bible classes, University classes and life-skills to college students by conversations and actions.

Wayne never new a stranger. He talked with everyone, every way, anytime and on all occasions.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.