John D. "Johnny" Weaver

John D. Weaver was born Feb. 20, 1930, to Maurice and Rose Weaver in Philipsburg. He passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Missoula from pancreatic cancer.

Johnny was raised on the family ranch at Nimrod with his six brothers and one sister. He started elementary school at the Harvey Creek School until it closed. He finished the rest of this schooling in Drummond, graduating in 1949.

He married his high school sweetheart, Irene Oxford, on Jan. 31, 1951, in Missoula. Johnny tended bar at the Mint Bar until he took the job at Saddle Mountain Lookout for the Blackfoot Fire Protective Association. That job ended when he was drafted into the Army in August of 1951. He served two years, most of which was spent in Korea. He was discharged in August of 1953. He then worked for Wayne Hill and then William Dingwall on their ranches before moving to Ovando to take over the ranching operation from Irene's folks. They purchased two more properties to complete their ranch. Johnny and Irene's family became complete with a son, Wendell, born in 1959 and a daughter, Wanda, in 1962.

Ranching was his life, but in the winter months he logged for Ralph Skaw Logging for many years.

Johnny was on the Ovando School board for many years and was instrumental in getting the gymnasium built. He was also a life-long member of the American Legion in Drummond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Rose (Edgar) Weaver; his sister Elizabeth Clute; brothers, Bud and George; sisters-in-law, Betty Weaver, Audrey Weaver and Jackie Weaver, and brothers-in-law, Howard Clute and Charley Hughes.

Johnny is survived by his wife of 63 years, Irene; son Wendell (Janice) Weaver of Ovando; daughter Wanda (Jeff) Anderson of Plentywood; grandchildren, Heidi (Troy) Hewitt, Hillary Christian (Ben Sharp) and Kayla, Cody and Payden Anderson. He is also survived by brothers, Sam (Kay), Fred (Joan), Bob and Dutch (Barbara); a sister-in-law Norma Hughes; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Services will be held when it's springtime in the Rockies.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.

Read John Weaver's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.