Truman W. Weekley Jr., 80, of Chesapeake, VA, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with bladder cancer.
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 24, 1944, as the youngest of three siblings. He graduated from Withrow High School. After high school, he proudly joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as a Radio and Telegraph Operator from July 1962, to December 1966.
After his discharge, he married the love of his life, Ruth S. Scott, on September 9, 1967, and began to build his life and his family.
Truman became the first in his family to earn a college degree, receiving both his associate and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati. Truman spent his professional life working in purchasing and printing sales. However, he was never defined by a paycheck. He was defined by his kindness, his curiosity, his love for the offbeat, and the people he held close. He loved road trips with his wife, tending to his colorful container garden, and waging battle with the squirrels who raided his bird feeders. He was generous, open-hearted, and often a little mischievous.
He loved movies, a good party with delicious food, especially chocolate, and was addicted to collecting anything he found to be weird and wonderful.
Truman shared a deep connection with each grandchild, and was proud to watch them navigate their first steps into adulthood. His connection with his grandson Brendan brought him joy and quiet companionship, something they both cherished. His favorite role was that of Grandpa and he took every opportunity to spoil his grandkids.
He also loved that the women in his life, his daughters and granddaughters, are strong, vocal, and resilient. He would instigate debate and laugh when they gave him a run for his money. He was a present, loving, and fully engaged dad and grandpa. He created memories of conversation and laughter around the dinner table, holiday fun, and his cheerleading of our ambitions and achievements.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Weekley; his daughters, Heather Hakimzadeh and Paige Weifert; and his grandchildren: Molly Harrell, S. Brendan Harrell, Cassandra Weifert, Emily Weifert, and Jessica Weifert. He is also survived by his sisters, Carol Lintz and Patricia Rinehart.
He was preceded in death by his father, Truman W. Weekley Sr.; his mother, Beulah S. Weekley; and his dearly loved eldest daughter, Karin Rachel Weekley (Harrell).
Truman did not want a service. He asked only for a simple burial, knowing that many of his friends and family were scattered across the country and not wanting anyone to go to great effort. He will be interred at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia.
The family would like to thank the hospice caregivers whose compassion and care made all the difference in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations supporting disabled veterans, cancer research, or local blood donation efforts. His favorite was the USO.
Truman was deeply loved, and he will be missed every day until we are all together again.
