A.J. Weatherl

On Thursday morning, February 28, 2013, A.J. Weatherl, age 83, loving husband, father, brother and friend peacefully passed from this life to the next surrounded by loved ones. He had been hospitalized at Midland Memorial since Saturday, February 23rd for a sudden illness. Born May 5, 1929 in Miller, Oklahoma to Otis and Kathleen Weatherl, A.J. attended Miller schools and later pursued academic work at the University of Houston in the area of electronics. He served his country in the United States Army, including over a year of service abroad during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954 to the US Army Reserves having earned a Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, a United Nations Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his discharge, A.J. returned to his work as a Lineman for Mobil Pipeline. He was later promoted to Division Troubleshooter in Houston and Beaumont, Texas. A.J. earned his license in Microwave Communications and transferred to Midland in 1963 as a Microwave Technician. After rising to the post of Communications Supervisor, A.J. was tapped to work on a number of special initiatives, including projects in Alaska and Saudi Arabia. A.J. retired from Mobil in October of 1986 with 39 years of service. After retirement, A.J. worked in the insurance industry and also established his own company, Jays Promotional Products, which he later sold to Century Graphics. On December 27th of 1954, A.J. married Fern June Willingham in Lincoln County Oklahoma. Parents of Marla, Steven, and Kathleen, the two were married for 56 years and worked as a team to establish a loving and supportive household for themselves and their children. The couple was fiercely devoted to family and delighted in any event involving their children or grandchildren. They were equally devoted to extended family and relished their annual trek to the Weatherl Family Reunion. Their mutual devotion to a life of worship, outreach, and service to community was expressed in their church-related activities and community-based endeavors such as serving as a delivery team for the Meals on Wheels organization. The couple enjoyed traveling in their trailer to destinations in Texas and the US, and made a number of trips abroad to Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. A.J. and June also shared an affinity for bowling, competing at the league level for a number of years. Other collaborative interests included dancing and listening to music, and watching professional golf in person and on television. A.J. was the consummate storyteller, had the ability to talk withand charmliterally anyone, and possessed a remarkable and envious sense of humor. A faithful Christian servant, he attended St. Paul and St. Lukes United Methodist churches and was a member at First Christian Church. In each of these settings, young children knew him as the man who always had a sucker or stick of gum to share. A.J.s uncompromising moral compass guided his thinking, behavior, and decision-making, allowing him to serve as a role model for all who knew him. Others who had the joy of interacting with A.J. over time knew him as a golfer, a little league and softball coach, an umpire, a boy scout leader, and a skilled cards, checkers, and dominoes player. A.J. was preceded in death by his sisters Anita, Ella, and Cora and brother, Bruce, wife June, and grandchildren Carly and Ryan Crawford. He is survived by daughter Marla Weatherl McGhee and husband Tim and their children Sarah and Paige; son Steven Weatherl and wife Debra and their children Caleb Weatherl with wife Lindsey, Joshua, Jordan, and Grace Weatherl; daughter Kathleen Weatherl Scarafile and husband Nick and their sons Nicholas Scarafile and Ross Crawford with wife Cheryl and great grandson Wyatt; and brothers Cliff Weatherl and wife Bobbie, Hollis Weatherl and wife Raedell, Bill Weatherl, Huey Weatherl and wife Mary, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of A.J. Weatherls life will be held Monday, March 4th at 11 AM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel, 3800 N Big Spring in Midland. Those wishing to honor A.J. with a memorial gift may do so by making a contribution to Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX, 79702. The family wishes to express heartfelt and sincere thanks to Dr. Summer Merritt, A.J.s exemplary physician, the staff of Hospice of Midland, and the professionals at Midland Memorial Hospital for their extraordinary and loving care.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,