George Thomas Weathers Jr.

Colonel, USAF, Retired

“Tom”

Dr. George Thomas Weathers Jr, PhD, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, in Charlotte, NC.

Tom was born on November 21, 1937, in Langdale, Chambers County, Alabama. He was the son of George Thomas Weathers and Tommie June (Williams) Weathers, and along with his sister Jan, he was their pride and joy. From a home shared with the family of one of his dearest friends, John Roy Wilson, to his majestic log home in the Colorado Rocky Mountain foothills, Tom lived a full and well-traveled life. His childhood job in the local movie theater, first making popcorn, then running the film projectors, established a wanderlust in Tom that was uncontained. He grew up wanting to see the world, longing to experience extreme adventures, seeking out the finest cuisine and drinking world-class wines. While his childhood was typical of the time, including playing football while in high school, his drive to explore the world was omnipresent.

After high school graduation, Tom attended Georgia Tech University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and, through the Reserve Officer Training Corp, a commission in the United States Air Force. He served two tours in support of the Vietnam War, based out of Clark Air Base in the Philippines, as well as numerous assignments that directly impacted United States national security. As a Major, Tom was selected to attend the University of Missouri graduate school, where he earned both his Master’s and Doctorate in Electrical Engineering. He later attended the National War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Tom retired as a full Colonel with 21 years on active duty and multiple early, below the zone promotions. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, which is United States Department of Defense's second-highest non-combat-related military award and the second-highest joint service decoration. It is given by the Secretary of Defense to members of the United States Armed Forces who render superior meritorious service in a position of great responsibility. He was also awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Legion of Merit. He lived through incredible historical times – born as a depression era child, grew up during World War II, attended college during the Korean War, and served his country during the Vietnam and Cold wars.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Tom began a second career in Defense Contracting, working for IBM Federal Systems, which became Loral Federal Systems and then Lockheed Martin Federal Systems. Throughout his second career Tom continued to have an outsized influence on state-of-the-art technologies that directly impacted US and international security.

After his second retirement from Lockheed Martin, Tom was able to fully enjoy his great love of travel, fine dining and wine collection. From traveling through all French wine regions, often on bicycle tours or river barges, to bungee jumping in New Zealand, mountain climbing in Nepal, canoeing through the Arctic Circle, photo safaris through Africa and playing with Pandas in China, Tom lived his dream along with his dear friend Susan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mary Loretta Alexander Weathers. He is survived by his beloved daughters and their spouses, Chris and Keith Vandegrift and Melissa and David Landry, his beloved grandchildren Angela and her husband Ben, Brittany and her husband Randy, Madison and her husband Damon, Lucas, Savannah and Charlotte, and by his adoring sister, Jan Holland and her husband Marty.

A gathering for family and friends will be held Friday, April 17, 2026 from 11am -12pm EDT in Lakewood Hall at Striffler- Hamby 3770 US Hwy 431 N. Phenix City, AL 36867 followed by a Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 12:00 noon EDT at Striffler-Hamby. Burial with Full Military Honors will be held at 1:30 pm EDT at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 US Hwy 165, Fort Mitchell, Al 36856.