Gary Dean Weaver quietly passed away in his home in Warwick, Maryland, in the wee hours of the morning of October 2, 2018, at the age of 72.
Gary was born on April 21, 1946 in Bowling Green, Ohio, to Claude Weaver, Jr. and Betty Jane (Slatts) Weaver. Gary was raised in Bowling Green, Ohio, a town which he loved dearly, and which always remained his “hometown” in his heart. He attended Bowling Green High School (Class of 1964), and Bowling Green State University, where he received a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Organizational Management. During his college years, Gary also served in the United States Army Reserves. Gary later received his MBA from the University of Michigan.
Gary worked for nearly twenty years with Chrysler Corporation where he was a rising star in the areas of human resources and labor relations. After leaving Chrysler, Gary worked for Industrial Printing Company (Toledo, Ohio) and Samborn, Steketee, Otis & Evans (Toledo, Ohio), where he also served in the same capacities. Beginning in he early 1980s, Gary served as Manager of Human Resources and Industrial Relations for Sun MidAmerica, a division of Sun Oil Company, along with various subsidiaries, until his retirement. The remainder of Gary’s professional career was spent serving as a consultant in his myriad areas of expertise, servicing companies mainly in the oil and gas industries, worldwide. Those who knew Gary, professionally, respected his ability to negotiate fairly and honestly, keeping in mind not only the end goals of his employers, but also those with whom he was dealing. As a result of his fair-minded and commonsensical approach to contract negotiation, he was both highly-effective, but also widely-respected by all with whom he dealt.
Gary was an avid horseman, fisherman, and family man. He was much more comfortable in blue jeans and cowboy boots than a suit and tie, despite having spent most of his life in the corporate world. His hands told the tale of a man who spent his free time working with and caring for horses, building things, and doing manual labor. This was a striking contrast to his board room colleagues; and, no doubt, added to his effectiveness, professionally. So too, Gary had a dry wit and a quick sense of humor, although it was widely-known that he would be the person laughing loudest at his own jokes – sometimes, before the punch line was presented.
Gary loved his family and friends without limits, and was immensely proud of their accomplishments. And, when a family member or friend stumbled, and needed a helping hand, his was always the first extended. His generosity knew no bounds, even when it came to strangers and charitable causes.
Gary is survived by his partner, Suzanne Phillips (Warwick, Maryland); son, Dean Edward Weaver, and his wife, Amy (Dzialok) Weaver (Temperance, Michigan); daughter, Debra Ann Weaver, and her wife Clare Bartlett (Mansfield, Ohio); stepson, Nathan Smith, and his wife Steffi Smith (Columbus, Ohio); stepson, Lucas Smith, and his wife, Sara Smith (Columbus, Ohio); grandson, Garrett Weaver (Temperance, Michigan); step-grandson, Logan Smith (Columbus, Ohio); step-granddaughter, Caroline Smith (Columbus, Ohio); step-grandson, Micah Smith (Columbus, Ohio); and, his brothers, Dale Weaver (Findlay, Ohio) and Dennis Weaver (Findlay, Ohio). Also very important in Gary’s life were Donna (Wither) Weaver (Toledo, Ohio); Vickie (Smith) Weaver (Columbus, Ohio); and, his myriad friends and colleagues.
Visitation for Gary will be held Friday October 12, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster Street. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 6:30 PM that evening. Pastor Jared Motsinger will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the Weaver family, please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
