Eldred L. “Buddy” Weaver, age 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at his home in Covington, Louisiana surrounded by his loving family and faithful four-legged companion, Biscuit. He was born January 21, 1930 in Stotts City, Missouri. He graduated in 1947 from Mt. Vernon High School, Mt. Vernon Missouri where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1948.
Buddy retired as a TSgt from the U.S. Air Force on March 1, 1969 where he served bravely as a fireman on various flight lines. Buddy proudly served his country abroad in England, Greenland, Korea, and the Panama Canal Zone. After retiring from the U. S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Buddy worked 40 years in the auto parts industry most notably at Gene’s Auto Parts of Fort Walton Beach, Florida owned by the late Gene Taylor.
Buddy never met a stranger. He enjoyed fishing, was a season ticket holder for Choctawhatchee High School football since 1969, treasured the Panhandle Opry in Mossy Head, Florida, loved attending basketball games at Northwest Florida State College with his pal, Fred Hodgins, and faithfully served in various positions at his beloved Forest Heights Baptist Church. Buddy enjoyed his daily 2-4 mile walks where he made regular stops along the way to visit friends. He enjoyed sharing stories of growing up as a country boy in Missouri working at his father’s saw mill and working as a thrashing hand for local farmers. Football season would find him cheering for his children’s collegiate alma maters – the Air Force Academy Falcons, University of Florida Gators, Florida State University Seminoles and University of Texas Long Horns.
Buddy is preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 64 years, Mary Lou Pipes Weaver. Together they made Fort Walton Beach their home for over 55 years and raised their four children in the same house. Survivors include his sister, Donna Weaver Lawson (Wayne) of Joplin, Missouri; daughter Diane Weaver Hodgins (Timothy) of Covington, Louisiana; sons, Larry A. Weaver of Fairfax, Virginia, Kenneth L. Weaver (Esther) of Pensacola, Florida, and Dennis K. Weaver (Allison) of Terrell, Texas; granddaughter, Erica D. Weaver of Dallas, Texas; grandsons Ryan M. Hodgins of Cartersville, Georgia, Jesse F. Weaver of Pensacola, Florida and Ty B. Weaver of Pensacola, Florida; great grandchildren Addison D. Hodgins and Reece P. Hodgins both of Woodstock, Georgia.
A funeral service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Florida with visitation one hour prior to the service with Reverend Robbie Harris to officiate. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral at Beal Memorial Cemetery, 316 NW Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
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