Justin Latting Weimer

Justin Latting Weimer was born in Decatur, Georgia, on January 26, 1993. He passed from this life into the eternal love of God on September 15, 2015. Justin was a radiant young man, and his life was marked by passionate faith in God, the deep love of his family and wide circle of friends, and a calling to explore and serve the world. By example, he taught others how to live into God-given opportunities and not let them slip away.

He was a bright light in a dark world, and he lived life to the fullest and without fear. At 18 years of age, he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania - the highest peak in Africa. This past summer he wrote an inspiring blog post from a breathtaking mountain peak in the Swiss Alps, affirming how close he felt to God. In his too brief 22 years of life, he shared the love of God in 13 countries on 4 continents - and served the poor in Africa for nearly a year in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. His Kenyan family gave him their name "Mwangi." In receiving Justin as their son and brother, their family became Justin's family - their people his people. Among them, Justin felt as much at home in Kenya as he felt anywhere. He truly became a global citizen.

Justin taught his father how to ride a motorcycle, skydive, and live into his dreams. He blessed his mother, sister, brother, and his extended family and friends with authentic expressions of faith, love and joy. He played the drums with an innate sense of rhythm - especially jazz and praise music. He was born to dance. The sunlight often danced in his sparkling blue eyes and reflected a spirit of joy and welcome to others. People of all ages were drawn to him, especially children. His summer jobs as a camp counselor at Camp Highland in north Georgia and at Young Life's Frontier Ranch in Colorado brought him great joy. Coaching children in recreational soccer in Auburn was such fun for him.

Justin played soccer with skill and grace and loved the camaraderie and friendships of every team on which he played. With soccer as an international language, he made soccer friends wherever he went. He served as co-captain of the varsity soccer team at Whitefield Academy and set the record for most assists in a season. For several years, Justin played on a very special club soccer team at Gwinnett Soccer Association, coached by Nuno Piteira that experienced considerable success at the state and national levels. His greatest joys came when working with others toward a common goal. Winning was fun, but it was the joy of the journey with friends that mattered most.

Justin is a graduate of Whitefield Academy in Mableton, GA, where, in addition to distinguishing himself in soccer, he played the drums in the Whitefield Jazz Band. Most recently, he was a senior at Auburn University majoring in Marketing, and Human Development & Family Studies. He was grateful to have studied and traveled with Auburn Abroad in Ireland. At Auburn, he made many friends through his classes, club and intramural soccer, leadership inYoung Life, work at Toomer's Drugs and Wake Up Coffee, and through the amazing community that is known as the Auburn Family. Justin's family is forever thankful for the love and care of the Auburn Family in this time of grief.

In the face of Justin's passing, his family, friends, and Christian community affirm the promises of Holy Scripture that the power of Christ's love, which Justin received by faith without reservation, enveloped him and carried him into the peace and light of everlasting life.

Justin's family is sustained by an extraordinary outpouring of love and prayer and countless acts of kindness, for which they are grateful beyond measure.

He is survived by his parents, Cynthia (Latting) and D. Scott Weimer of Atlanta; sister, Christen Sewell Weimer of Atlanta; brother, James Scott Weimer of Princeton, NJ; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Trimble B. and Patience S. Latting of Oklahoma City, OK; paternal grandparents, Robert J. and LouAnn S.Weimer of Clay Center, KS; Aunt Francelia L. Wilson of Oklahoma City, OK; and cousin C. Luke Perry of Clemson, SC.

A Memorial Service will be held at Justin's home church in Atlanta, North Avenue Presbyterian, on Saturday, September 26 at 1 o'clock, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to North Avenue Presbyterian Church for the Justin Weimer Memorial Fund.