George Walton Weir

George Walton Weir, known to his friends as Joe, passed away on Friday, May 24th in Dallas, Texas. Joe was born on October 12, 1944 in Rockford, Illinois to Mildred and Homer Weir. From an early age he excelled in sports, especially basketball, and as a young child enjoyed playing the saxophone. His life-long love of dogs began with Gus, a mixed-breed with long hanging ears. In 1959 Joe’s family moved to Houston, Texas where he attended The Kincaid School and participated on the varsity basketball team and as a varsity cheerleader, graduating in 1963. Joe attended Southern Methodist University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated in 1967.

On October 2, 1971, he married Mary Blackburn Amerman and settled in Dallas while beginning a career at Texas Instruments. Later he worked for Blair Engineering and finally for Lee Spring. He enjoyed hunting, golf, traveling to England and Scotland, going to the Texas State Fair and being involved in the activities of his three girls, Gini, Therese and Dorothy. He coached YMCA basketball, built many Derby Day cars, went to ballet recitals and began his reign as Indian Princess Chief under the name of “Running Beard” and culminated it as the beloved and world-renowned “Big Duck”. In 1985 he furthered his education with a Master of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Homer Weir; maternal grandparents, Gertrude and George Walton; and paternal grandparents, Louise and John Weir. He is survived by his former wife, Mary Amerman Weir, and his three daughters: Gini and son-in-law John Florer of Dallas, Therese and son-in-law Nathan Bushnell of Seattle, and Dorothy of Dallas. In the last 10 years, his three grandchildren, Will, John Lawson and Sutton Florer were the lights of his life. He spent many hours with them, including “talking time” with Will, hours in the hospital with John Lawson and with Sutton continually climbing in his lap for a hug. He is also survived by his two brothers, Silas Weir (Eunice) of Evergreen, Colorado and Frank Weir (Barb) of Saline, Michigan and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor and giving spirit, and will be greatly missed by his two pugs, Babs and Buttercup, who were faithful companions and family to him until the end.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 3rd at 12:00 noon at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to DFW Pug Rescue, P.O. Box 2591, Grapevine, Texas 76099; The Rise School of Dallas, 5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas 75230; or Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, 2777 N. Stemmons Freeway, #700, Dallas, Texas 75207.