Donnell "Don" Weber, 82 took a shuttle to the beyond on July 20, 2017. Born to John and Grace Weber, he was the oldest of 3 sons. They grew up on a farm/ranch in the Logan County area of Nebraska. When he wasn't doing farm chores he loved fishing, hunting, and riding horses with friends on the weekends. In high school he ran the mile in track, placing third in the state of Nebraska. He also won 1st prize in physics in the state high school scholastic meet. He graduated from Logan County High School then took a one year course graduating from Nebraska State Teachers College in Pre-Engineering.
After high school he worked drilling oil fields in Nebraska and Kansas and worked as a steeple-jack painting water towers. He joined the army and went to Guided Missile School in Texas, and then married Lucy Conelly from his high school in Nebraska. He was assigned 2 years in Germany before returning to Nebraska.
After leaving the Army, he got a job in Feb. 1959 at Patrick Airforce Base for RCA and moved his family to Florida. In Nov. 1961 he went to work for G.E. at Cape Canaveral, then starting 1962 he worked for nine years for North American Rockwell. After the Apollo program ended he went to Florida Technical University, which later became UCF, and got his Bachelors of Science Engineering Degree – graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1973. He worked for Harris Semiconductor in Melbourne for a year then returned to KSC.
The rest of his career was at "The Rocket Ranch" a.k.a. Kennedy Space Center on the shuttle program – working for Federal Electric Corp. from 1974-77, Computer Sciences Corp. 1977-83, Lockheed 1983-84, Grumman Technical Services later Northrop Grumman, Lockheed, and United Space Alliance. He was a software engineer writing code to erase secret data keeping the shuttle program secure.
He was president of "Parents without Partners" for 6 years where he met his second wife Carol Morey and they were married in Nov. 1992. Carol Weber went to heaven in Jan. 2014.
He loved gardening and grafting roses. He planted and maintained a rose garden, from the roses he grew, at Grace United Methodist Church which he attended since the church was first built in 1962.
He square danced 2 or 3 times a week, liked canoeing, Gheenoeing, hiking, fishing, watching bull riding competitions, and news shows!
He is survived by his children: Dr.Doug Weber and his wife Olya, Katrina Bedard, LaCinda Zimmer and her husband Robert; Carol's children David Morey and his wife Heather, Jeannie Morey; and grandchildren Nick Bedard, Bella Weber, and Alec & Adam Morey.
We'd like to thank Mary Jane, his gardening cohort and friend, and her husband Ed Raliegh, Ed Stukie, Elizabeth Clark, Anna White, and his many friends for the help and assistance they've given over the years.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Wylie-Baxley Merritt Island Funeral Home.
August 26, 2017
We were so sorry to hear about Don's passing. We knew him from square dancing and always had a good time when we were with Don and Carol. They were a great couple.
George and Jean Smith--Cocoa Beach, FL.
August 26, 2017
Trina so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. You and family are in my prayers. May the many memories live forever in your heart and give you comfort. Love and Prayers Carolyn Burnham
August 24, 2017
Gail Stewart-Iles
Donn was such a splendid person - kind, and the quiet version of tough that the world needs more of.
August 24, 2017
Donna Thompson
We will happily remember the fun we had together at our pool parties and square dancing and camp, and our canoe runs together with your Mom, Lucy. Our deepest condolences to you all.
Tom and Donna Thompson and "children" Andy Kramer, Lisa Kramer and Terri (Kramer) Johnson
August 22, 2017
Jim Pagozalski
Trina, the obituary and photo gallery were well done. My sincere condolences on your loss. Praying the family is coping well during this time.
Jim Pagozalski (Satellite Beach)
August 22, 2017
Carol Wilkins
To Trina, Doug, Cindy and family:
I know your Dad will be missed greatly.
Prayers for you all in your time of grief. This was a wonderful obituary for an interesting man.
August 19, 2017
Janet Kilgard Barbour
Thank you so much for writing the obituary for your dad. I knew he lived a remarkable life, but didn't know much about his early days except that he was from Nebraska and worked for NASA. I met him a couple of years after he and Carol married. Carol was my life-long friend from the days when she came in the summers to stay with her grandparents on SW 10th Street in Miami (Coral Gables). I am so sorry I will not be able to attend the memorial service. Thank you also for mentioning your wonderful neighbor Mary Jane. She was a support for both Don and Carol for all those years!
August 13, 2017
Friend
Mary Jane Raleigh
Doug, Trina and Cindy, My heart broke the day your father died. He was my friend and teacher. Together we grew African violets ,Christmas cactus and any other flower we could get our hands on. He knew all the right formulas for soil mixture,fertilizer and insecticides. He also taught me a lot about tools and cooking. I will truly miss him.
August 6, 2017
Dear Trina, Cindy and Doug, I am so sorry to hear that your dad died so suddenly. I know he wants us all to remember what a happy life he enjoyed for so many years. I also knew how much he missed Carol, my dear life-long friend who brought so much joy and happiness to her marriage to your dad. Together they made such a wonderful team. I enjoyed getting to know your dad through Carol and was always amazed at how much energy he had for his gardening. For a house-warming gift to me when I moved to Orlando 13 years ago, your dad planted a lime tree in my patio. He was a professional in every way. I enjoyed limes for many years and I have both of them to thank for this "giving" tree. Later, when Carol got so ill, he so lovingly cared for her--even after he suffered a stroke himself. I thank God for Don and for all he did for Carol. There is an extra large hole in my heart now with both of them gone. Please know how much they loved all of you and little Nick. My love to you all.
July 31, 2017
Bill Heer
Doug, Trina and Cindy -
Your Dad was a good man and I was fortunate to know him as both a co-worker and friend. Please know that others share your sadness.
July 26, 2017
Gail Stewart-Iles (Gonzalez)
Don's poem summarizes the man I worked with for years. One of the kind, staunch sorts who would make nothing of being kind and staunch.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Funeral services provided by:
Wylie-Baxley Merritt Island Funeral Home1360 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more