Wesley L. “Wes” Weldon 1915-2007

Memorial services for Wesley L. “Wes” Weldon will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 24th, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church in Tahlequah, with Reverend Trudy Morphew officiating.

Wes departed spaceship Earth on Sunday, January 21, 2007 for a better place, at the age of 92. Wes was born in Minneapolis, MN, but grew up and was schooled in Wisconsin, where he also started his career in retailing. His career took him from Wisconsin to Albert Lea, MN, Cedar Rapids, IA, and to Oklahoma City, OK, where he completed his career, retiring from the John A. Brown Company after 28 years. He pursued his profession with great vigor, diligence, and dedication. Many honors were bestowed upon him in recognition of his accomplishments. Wes served his country during WWII in the NS Navy aboard the submarine USS Hammerhead in the Pacific and the Japan Sea. More recognition was awarded him for those years and may be found in the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City. He also was very instrumental in the formation of Oklahoma City Community College and served as a Trustee and Board member for many years. He helped start the Southwest Community Hospital and served many years on their board. He was made a lifetime member of the Chamber of Commerce. He began and served with distinction with the Area Aging Agency of Central Oklahoma, and he was a progressive and aggressive advocate of the elderly, serving on many state, regional, and local boards until his final days. He also gave of himself to many other activities of the communities in which he lived and worked. He was an Elder in his church for many years. He was an inspiration to his fellow workers and volunteers and left a long record of accomplishments that still continues to improve the lives of those he touched.

Wes married Elda Stensby, his loving wife, in Rice Lake, WI in 1939, and she and their daughters, Jeanie Reed of Bartlesville and Beth Schwartz of Oklahoma City, will miss him. He also has four wonderful grandchildren; Emily Spencer and husband Joey of Owasso, Matthew Reed of Bartlesville, Stacy Hayes and husband T.J. of Oklahoma City, and Jeremy Schwartz of Oklahoma City; as well as two great-grandchildren, Cole Joseph Spencer of Owasso and Gracyn Beth Hayes of Oklahoma City. He is survived by his sister, Betty of Beach Grove, IN, and brother Carl and his wife Daisy of Palatine, IL, having lost his sister Jane in 2001.

The family requests those wishing to send an expression of sympathy consider making a donation in Wes’ name to: First Presbyterian Church, 315 East Shawnee, Tahlequah, OK, 74464, or to the Salvation Army, 615 South Main Street, Muskogee, OK 74401 918-682-6567.