John Henry William Weber

Born on a dairy farm in Merton, Wisconsin to William Alexius and

Laura Elizabeth Weber. Attended Merton State Grade School, graduated

Valedictorian in 1938. Attended Marquette University Prep School in

classical program of Latin and Greek, graduating in 1942. Entered

Marquette University, enlisted in the Naval Aviation V-5 Program in

November 1942. Navy allowed him to finish year of college and called

him to active duty, June 1943. He became a fighter pilot flying Grumman

F6F Hellcats. Suffering no combat action as the war was winding down,

he returned to civilian life and Marquette University. It was there that he

met, courted and married Elizabeth Jane Prasch. Weber had a hankering

to go to college in Southern California where he had spent many months

in the Navy. He transferred his credits to the University of Southern California

from which he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1948.

By now, the Webers were blessed with two children, son Jeffrey Charles,

and daughter, Mary Ellen.

Weber’s first job after college was with the B.F. Goodrich Tire Company.

After several sales positions in Los Angeles and Long Beach, he was

sent to manage a new store in San Bernardino. A third child, daughter

Laura Elizabeth was welcomed there.

Weber had been flying in the Naval Reserve at Glenview near Chicago

and then at Los Alamitos in Long Beach. Because of the pressure of

Saturday business in his store, he reluctantly resigned from the “weekend

warriors” in May of 1950. In June, one month later, the Korean War broke

out and his Squadron, VF-84, was recalled en-masse. Close call.

In San Bernardino Weber met John Cooper at a breakfast club. After a

year or so, in 1952, they opened a used car business, with Cooper’s

Studebaker and Weber’s DeSoto and a $10,000 loan from the banker

whose corner lot they were going to rent. After two years of modest

success, they sold the used car business and with those proceeds and a

loan from Commercial Credit Corp., purchased the Lincoln-Mercury

dealership in Ontario, CA. and retiring from the tire company. Again,

modest success. Both partners became community activists, Cooper as

Councilman and Weber as president of the Chamber of Commerce.

They decided to return full time to the automobile business, and to

purchase a second store. With the help of United California Bank they

bought the Lincoln-Mercury store in Ventura, where Weber moved to

operate it. Coincident with the move he divorced and four years later

married Nancy Ann Schmitt. This marriage produced a daughter,

Sandra Anne, and a life time of memories.

After several years Weber and Cooper split up, Cooper remaining in Ontario

and Weber in Ventura. Over the years, with his son as a partner, Weber

handled many marques, namely, Lincoln-Mercury, Jaguar, Lotus, Jensen-

Healey, Mazda, Nissan, Kia, and Infiniti. He was also a partner in Mercury

Oil Co. during this time, and a yacht broker in the Channel Islands Harbor

with Weber Yacht Sales.

Finally, after 45 years, he sold his remaining stores in Ventura and Oxnard

Auto Centers, and retired as an avocado farmer, joining the Farm Bureau,

Avocado Society and other farm groups. He was involved in community

activities as most auto dealers are, supporting the Ventura Branch of the

American Red Cross, the New West Symphony as a founder and board

member, supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, Ventura Gulls baseball,

ARC, DAREs and other miscellaneous charities. He was a member of

Rotary Club, Saticoy Country Club, Tower Club, American Legion,

U.S.C. Alumni Association, Southern California Motor Car Dealers, and

others, including his beloved Trojan and Green Bay Packer fan clubs.

Jack is survived by his beloved and adoring wife Nancy, his loving family

which include his son Jeffrey and wife Virginia of Ventura,

Wofgang and Elka; his daughter Mary Groendyke and sons Robert and Mark; his daughter, Laura, husband John Spencer

and her children Laurie and Spencer. Also his daughter Sandra, her husband

Tony Lyon and their sons John and Henry; daughter Suzanne and husband

Bill Ealand and her children Cuyler and Brittany. He is predeceased by Nancy’s

daughter Sally, and survived by her children Kathryn and Johnny Ward, Nancy and

husband Matt Finifter. Also surviving are his brother Bob and wife Joanne Weber of the Wisconsin homestead,

their eight children and families and by a host of friends and business associates.

A military service was held graveside for family members at Ivy Lawn Memorial

Park on October 8, 2015. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

The family wishes to thank Buena Vista Hospice for their comfort and care.

Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

“Trust that an ending is always followed by a new beginning…”.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.