GARY BERNARD WEBER

Gary Bernard Weber, 65, died April 22, 2005, in Walla Walla, Wash.

A rosary was recited at 6 p.m. April 28,and a funeral Mass was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at St. Francis Catholic Church in Walla Walla, with interment to follow at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A memorial funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Bogard Road in Wasilla on May 4, at 7 p.m.

He was born June 10, 1939, to Walter and Inea Weber in Heritage, N.D., and grew up in Prescott, Wash., graduating from Prescott High School in 1957.

He attended Seattle University from 1958-1959. He married Elsie Smith of Walla Walla in October 1961 and had two sons, Robert and Thomas Weber.

Mr. Weber served in the U.S Army's accounting division from 1962-1965. Upon discharge he made his home in Kirkland, Wash., from 1965-1969 working for Standard Oil Co. He was transferred to Anchorage in 1969 and served as Chevron U.S.A.'s Alaska division administrative supervisor and worked in that position until 1976. In 1970, he and his brother, Lloyd Weber, bought Wasilla Chevron. He and Carolyn had his third son, Brad Weber. He continued to own and operate Wasilla Chevron until his death.

Mr. Weber was passionate about music and poetry and was a self-taught musician. He played the piano and trumpet and organized the first Wasilla Community Marching Band. He loved spending time in the outdoors, which included camping, fishing and hunting.

His family wrote, "He had a love for the wheat fields over the skyrocket and enjoyed returning 'home' to his roots. Gary cherished his family and enjoyed doing for others, especially those in need. He had a love for flowers and took great pride in presenting Wasilla Chevron as the gateway through the Mat-Su Valley. He was a businessman and civic leader who made a difference in many lives and will be greatly missed by his family and friends."

He was involved in many community activities, including serving as a volunteer firefighter in Kirkland, Wash., and being active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla and St. Francis Parish in Walla Walla, Wash. He was a longtime Rotarian and Knight of Columbus. He taught business education to Wasilla middle-schoolers in a community outreach program and was active in scouting.

He served many local communities and organizations to provide tourism and economic development in Wasilla. He was instrumental in establishing the state advocacy group, Alaska Underground Tank Owners and Operators Association Inc.

Mr. Weber is survived by two sons, Robert J. Weber of Prosser, Wash., and Brad M. Weber of Seattle; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Don Martinscelli and Paulette and Willis Goodwin, all of Walla Walla, Wash.; five brothers, Joseph Weber of College Place, Wash., David and wife, Val Weber, of Calgary, Canada, Lloyd and his wife, Inez Weber, of Wasilla, Donald and wife, Donna Weber, of Eugene, Ore., and Michael Weber of Walla Walla, Wash.; three grandchildren, John Weber and Kristen Weber, both of Prosser, Wash., and Randall Weber of Wasilla, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Thomas Paul Weber.