John Weed

1932 - 2023

John Russell Weed

1932 - 2023

Russ, 91, passed away on December 13, 2023 at Marian Hospital in Santa Maria, California. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Tatlock Pachy Weed, in 2010. They moved to Santa Maria in 1983 upon his retirement from the Air Force. His Air Force assignments brought them to many locations across the country.

Born in Darien, Connecticut in 1932 to John Bouton and Betty Beach Weed - he grew up in Bernardsville, NJ and graduated through the ROTC program from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY in 1954. He was commissioned by the USAF and served for 28 years. He was a B-47 and B-52 navigator/bombardier and flew over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War. He also flew numerous SAC Chrome Dome missions at the height of the Cold War. Russ retired from the USAF in 1983 at the rank of Lt Colonel.

His retirement years included travel to visit family and friends and many rounds of golf. He and Pachy were members of the Santa Maria Country Club since the early 1980's. He worked part-time preparing income taxes for friends and family. He also sang for the Central Coast Chordsmen barbershop chorus and enjoyed performing.

Russ was active in veteran and civic organizations including Veterans United for Truth, American Legion Post 56, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Santa Maria Men's Club, Elks Lodge #1538 and the YMCA.

Russ was a long-time member of the Democratic Party and served as an elector for the State of California at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. He was passionate about good government, politics and was a solid supporter of the League of Women Voters.

Russ totally enjoyed Naughty Oak Brewery in Orcutt and looked forward each year to The Nation Magazine Cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska. He was a lifelong supporter of his alma mater, Colgate University, and loyally followed the Colgate Raider's teams.

He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Jane de la Garza in 2001. Russ is survived by his sons John Woodruff, Christopher David, Russell Bigelow and his sister-in-law Heather Wargo. He has five grandchildren - Carolyn Louise Mason, John Jeffrey Tatlock Weed, Ella Marie Tessier Weed, Vincent Robert Weed and Oliver Rivera Weed. He has two great grandchildren, Walker Troy Mason, and Kinsley Anne Mason.

Friendships were an integral part of his life - and he is missed by Rebecca, Keith, Tracy, Nancy, Sue and his many close friends. Russ was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, patriot, servant, and friend - he is loved by many. A celebration of life will be held at the Santa Maria Country Club on Saturday February 3rd at 3pm. All are welcome!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Maria Salvation Army.