Guss Thomas Weaver, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2023 in West Monroe, Louisiana with his wife Deanna by his side. Guss was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to Guss Thomas Weaver, Sr. and Mary Lois Mathis Weaver July 9, 1936.
Guss had an early love of horses, dogs, most farm animals and gardening. His family affectionately called him Sonny or Brother. He was very active in the 4-H club as a youth and as an adult with his three children. Guss was a graduate of Fair Park High School in 1954. He attended Northwestern State University, Centenary College, and courses at LSU Baton Rouge.
He started his career as a salesman at Sunshine Biscuit Company. He then joined Hershey Chocolate Company as a Sales Representative. After a few years with Hershey, he was promoted to District Sales Team Manager in Shreveport with an expanded territory. After an award trip to Hawaii, Guss discovered his "Happy Place" and traveled there many times. Guss retired from Hershey after almost thirty years. He loved his "Hershey Boys (and Girls)" who he hired and was delighted to hear from them from time to time.
After retirement from Hershey, Guss devoted his time to his and his son Mark's Christmas Tree Farm. After leaving the work of the tree farm, Guss and Dee moved to the small community of Drew, Louisiana near his son Jonathan and daughter Penny. They traveled to many places around the globe and succeeded in eliminating many from his bucket list. Guss loved Jesus and was devoted to his family.
He is survived by his wife of sixty seven years, Deanna Jacoby Weaver; children, Mark Thomas Weaver (Lisa), Penny Weaver Hakim, Jonathan Christopher Weaver (Stephanie); son-in-law, Eddie Hakim; grandchildren, Michael David Weaver (Amy), Callie Rebecca Weaver, James Neil Weaver (Kim), Natalie Weaver, Abraham Nouri Hakim (Nitzan), Leah Hakim Goldenberg (Tyler), Jack Allen Hakim (Christie), Joseph Daniel Hakim (Brooke); sister, Mary Weaver Crowder (Kenneth); sister-in-law, Jimmie Alice Kelly (Dolph). He is also survived by many precious great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many other near and dear friends.
Guss was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Cheryl Weaver Montgomery and Patricia Weaver Baker; brother-in-law, George Thomas Jacoby; special friends, Paul Parget and Win and Cecil Owens.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 pm. with Rev. Harrell Shelton officiating. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial Park. Honoring the family as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Michael Weaver, Neil Weaver, Abraham Hakim, Jack Hakim, Joseph Hakim and Tyler Goldenberg. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Scott Kelly, Scotty Law, Greg Barnes, Jeff Dunton, Mike Brunk, Tim Smith, Sean Cabot, Gary Smith, Dave Maddox, Charlie Wolf, Sheri Barth and Kevin Sherwood.
Memorials may be made to Samaritans Purse, New Chapel Hill Baptist Church in West Monroe, LA, Milton and Catherine Hershey Rose Gardens and Conservatory Memorial Brick Project.
