Donald Lee Weaver

Born: December 27th, 1931

Died: November 5th, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Grandfather and Great grandfather...Donald Lee Weaver, at the age of 94.

Our dad was born December 27, 1931, in Waterford, California. To Clarence and Vesta Weaver.

He lived such an amazing life. He definitely wasn't just a number. But life is all about numbers. So, I decided to crunch a few and break it down for everyone.

Dad lived 94 years. 313 days. He was 52 days shy of his 95th birthday. If you do the math that means he lived 34,647 days. He was alive for 17 Presidents, and here for 24 Leap Years. From the Great Depression to the Digital Age.

We lost our mom way too soon, but God gave us an extra 12,554 days with dad.

He was the second oldest of four boys. Preceded in death by his older brother David Weaver. As a young boy of 5 years old he was already working in the field with his uncle’s tending the water for the almond and walnut Orchards.

Dad often told the story of getting kicked out of school on his first day of fifth grade, because he didn't own shoes. The second day of fifth grade was the first day he ever wore a pair of shoes.

He earned his AA Degree from Modesto Jr. College, before becoming a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He had a mid-air incident when his seat broke, ejecting him inside the cockpit, breaking his back. He was able to regain control of his plane, and spiral back to earth to land. He had to be carried from the cockpit while serving in Korean War stateside.

He spent the next six months on a "rotisserie bed", as he called it. Nurses turn him every hour or so to ease the stress on his back.

He married our mom Lola, and together they adopted 4 children (Don, Denise, Dori, & Doug). A few years later she gave birth to our little sister Debbie. It wasn't the way he planned his life, but God's plan was to put each of us at his feet. He never wavered, he just added each of us to their lives.

When our brother Pablo (from Spain) came along, and needed a place, Dad didn't hesitate. He simply made room for another brother.

He often stated, "God has been with me every step of the way and never left my side!" He was a true believer in Christ.

He worked sales jobs until the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas called him. He found his dream job at Southern California Edison. That job allowed him to live and work where he always wanted to be. The family lived in Lee Vining, Mammoth pool, Kernville, Big Creek, and Chawanakee, and a bunch of random powerhouse numbers that aren't really towns. The family finally settled in North Fork buying a home in 1970. He spent 24 years with Edison before retiring from Powerhouse #3 at Redinger Lake.

Our Dad believed in community and gave back. He was the North Fork Elementary School Board President for about 10 years and probably gave half the kids in town their diplomas. He helped implement the ski program at Badger Pass among many of the things he achieved.

He worked part-time selling real estate, while being a part of the Scottish Rite, Freemasons, a Shriner for over 20 years, President of the Bass Lake Boat Club and the President of the Nor-Cal Airstream Club.

He loved the Golden Chain Theatre, and visiting Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater often buying season passes.

He spent many years in Jeep clubs traversing the Rubicon trail, and owned a small plane and flew often, when the older three kids were younger. He could fix just about anything.

The awards he received are too many to list. He was an avid Poker and Pinochle player hosting weekly Monday and Friday night games continuing until a couple else's before he passed.

One of the highlights of his life was being chosen a few years ago for the Central Valley Honor Flight to Washington DC. He proudly gathered with 80 other Veterans touring the nation's Capitol with people who served our country.

People often ask what was the secret to his longevity? The answer was, he never slowed down! As an avid walker and hiker he climbed to the top of Half Dome close to a dozen times in his lifetime.

My brothers, sisters, and I are grateful for the time we spent with him. He gave us a life, when we seemed all but abandoned.

He traveled the world and visited probably five of the seven continents, but there was no place he would have rather been than in the middle of the Sierra Nevada's.

He passed away in Coarsegold on November 5th, 2026 the way he wanted...

In the mountains.

Our father leaves behind his loving wife Carol.

As well as his 6 kids;

Don ( Laura) , Denise ( Phil ), Dori ( Darrell ), Pablo, Doug (Teri ), and Debbie ( Robert deceased)

3 step kids: Brian, Keran, & Sharon

14 grand Children and

14 Great Grandchildren

Countless Nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who he loved dearly, who loved him back.

I'd say 34, 647 days is a life we'll lived

Welcome home Pop!

You made it!