John Phillip Weldon

John Phillip Weldon was born April 3, 1936 in rural Pawnee County, Oklahoma near Cleveland. He was the son of Leo Garth and Ruby (Storm) Weldon. John was raised and attended school in Cleveland, graduating from Cleveland High School 1954.

Upon completion of his education, John accepted employment working as a printer for the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Tulsa. He later worked for MidWest Instruments and then with Jodi's Printing Shop working in the offset printing department.

John was married to high school sweetheart, Beverly Ann Hammons at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland on August 10, 1957. The couple made their home in Cleveland as John was soon to be inducted into the service of this country in the United States Army on January 31, 1958. During the two years to follow, John was assigned primarily in Germany and was actually there and had the opportunity to visit with Elvis Presley during Elvis' tour as part of the 3rd Armored Division. Sergeant Weldon was honorably discharged on January 12, 1960 and returned to Cleveland.

Shortly after his release from active duty, John and Ann moved to Tulsa where they raised their two children, Rhonda and Brett. John accepted employment as a milk deliveryman for the Carnation Company and worked there for several years before beginning a career in fabrication of heat exchangers. He was initially employed as a layout and fit-up fabricator for the Essex Company in Tulsa. After a few years, John accepted employment with SMITHCO Engineering as a fabricator; retiring in 1983. Shortly after his retirement from SMITHCO, John began working for ArkLaTex Mud Logging for a couple of years and then finally found his ultimate job, working in sales at the Second Hand Rose Pawn Shop in Tulsa for thirteen years which led to his hobby of holding and attending garage sales.

John was considered by those who knew him as a jack of all trades; there was rarely anything that he couldn't repair or fix. He was an excellent mechanic and enjoyed working on cars. He completely remodeled his entire house except for a few minor areas; which was an ongoing project for several years. It was said that he attacked his projects the WELDON WAY; never getting finished and with always something else to work on. He enjoyed spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and boating. Additionally, he spent countless hours flower and vegetable gardening and also enjoyed feeding the wildlife around his yard. On one occasion he even coaxed a scissortail flycatcher to eat from his hand. John was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland for most of his life; accepting Christ as his personal savior as a youth and remaining faithful throughout his life.

John passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa at the age of seventy-two. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Leona Belle Pogue.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Ann Weldon of the home; a daughter, Rhonda Weldon and her husband, Eric Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a son, Brett Weldon of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a brother and his wife, Lewis and Eve Weldon of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and a sister, Mary Hestand of Collinsville, Oklahoma.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Gene Black officiating. Following cremation, John will be interred at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland.