Donald A. Weber

DONALD A. WEBER

Dec. 1923 - June 2011

Donald A. Weber, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, June 27th, 2011, due to natural causes.
Don was born in Searles, Minnesota to Cornelia "Nellie" and George Weber in December 1923. The second of four children, of German ancestry, he learned the family work ethic early when his first job was to knock all the potato bugs off the plants in their large family garden. Don spoke only German until he began attending school at age six.
Don met his future bride, Dorothy, at age ten while visiting a mutual friend at the home of Dorothy's grandmother. As a teenager, Don worked at the local theater taking tickets. On occasion he would let Dorothy in free and then come to sit with her once the movie began! During high school, Donald also worked afternoons and evenings at the local bowling alley, setting pins by hand, which often resulted in his nodding off to sleep during school the next day. If the teachers happened to notice, he usually received a thump on the head and a trip to the principal's office.
After graduating from Little Falls High School, Don worked for a while at a meat-packing plant in Minneapolis. The following fall Don left for the Navy where he became a medic attached to the Marine Corps serving in the South Pacific. Later he completed four years in the Navy serving in Chicago, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Washington state.
Don and Dorothy married in December of 1945. In February 1946 Don was honorably discharged from the military and soon thereafter he entered St. Cloud Teachers College where he obtained his four year B.S. degree in only two and a half years. While attending teachers college, he worked at a service station as well as playing baseball and ice hockey.
Following college graduation, Don's first teaching job was at a high school in Santa Rosa, New Mexico where he taught history and coached baseball. Upon moving to California, Don returned to school at Whittier College for a fifth year to obtain his California Teaching Credential. Soon after, he was hired to teach at Barbara Worth Junior High School in Brawley where he taught math, history, and physical education.
Daughter Barbara was born in 1950 and son, Toby joined the family in 1953.
A perpetual student and life-long learner, Don continued his studies at Long Beach State and USC, earning his master's degree in education and nearly completing his doctorate.
Always ambitious, Don held many jobs over the years including principal of Witter and Oakley Elementary Schools, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent, and finally Superintendent of the Brawley Elementary School District.
Never idle during summer breaks, Don also held various part-time jobs including: police dispatcher, police patrolman, gasoline truck driver, Brawley post office carrier, and many years with the Brawley Parks and Recreation Department.
For many years Don was an avid golfer, and would play 18 and even 36 holes in a day when he and his buddies were feeling their most competitive. In addition to Del Rio, Don enjoyed playing other courses including the Ocotillo course at the Salton Sea.
Community involvement was very important to Don which was demonstrated through his participation in the American Legion, Brawley Chamber of Commerce (past president), Brawley Lion's Club (past president), and many years coaching and refereeing boxing.
Don retired from education in June 1982, having earned the respect of all with whom he worked. After one year of almost daily fishing, Don decided to pursue a second career in real estate and soon acquired both a sales license and broker's license. During his retirement years, Don enjoyed gardening, fishing, reading, watching sports of all kinds, and especially visits from family and friends.
Don was pre-deceased by his parents, George and Nellie Weber, as well as his three siblings: sisters, Evelyn Orlow and Verletta Ward and brother, Richard Weber. Don is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Doroth H. Weber. He is also survived by daughter, Barbara Laughrin and husband Bob of Brawley, and son, Toby Weber and wife Alice of Imperial. He will also be greatly missed by grandchildren, Jaley MacDonald of Colorado, April Stilwell and husband Thomas of San Diego, CA, Tara Laughrin of Imperial, TJ Weber and wife, Vicky of Texas, and Jason and Donald G. Weber of Imperial. Great-grandchildren include: Zach Awe, Ashley Awe, Madison Goswick, and Faith, Tanner and Amry Stilwell.
We were so proud to have him as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We will especially miss his wonderful intellect, his great sense of humor, and his fun and loving ways. A funeral mass will be held in his honor on Saturday July 9th, 2011 at 9:00 A.M., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brawley.