Thomas H. Weaver

Thomas (Tommy) Henry Weaver, 75, passed from this world February 13, 2010 after a brief period of declining health. Tommy's wife, Lou Weaver, and the Weaver family would like to thank the good people at Pitt County Memorial Hospital who provided excellent care for Tommy during his last days.

A Memorial service will be held at the Mitchell Funeral Home located at 7209 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, NC Tuesday, February 16 at 11:00 am. Visitation and reception will follow. Friends and neighbors are welcome.

Tommy was born in Durham, NC on March 20, 1934, to the late Walter William Weaver and Lottie Brewer Weaver. Tommy's dad was a newspaper man, who moved the family many times during Tommy's childhood, mostly in Virginia and North Carolina. Tommy said he went to 23 schools during his school years. This afforded Tommy the opportunity to make new friends and explore new places, a skill that served him well in life. Growing up, he and his twin brother Billy spent much time hunting, fishing, and trapping. Tommy always loved to be outdoors and kept this up throughout his many years.

Tommy graduated from Hopewell High School in Hopewell, Virginia, in 1952. He went into the US Army Reserves and served at Ft. Jackson, SC. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Durham and entered Duke University to study engineering. The press of life trumped college so Tommy left Duke to begin his work career. Tommy married Merle Crouch in 1955, they had two children, Susan Lynn was born in 1959 and Walter Glen in 1961.
Tommy worked at Pritchard Paint and Glass in Raleigh for 23 years. Tommy and Lougenia Pulley got married in 1974 in Raleigh. They met at Pritchard's. Lou left Pritchards to work at Flythe Construction as a compromise to create marital bliss. After leaving Pritchard's, Tommy and Lou started their own business, Weaver Glass and Storefront in 1980. The business was closed in 1991 and they retired to Harker's Island. In 1996, they moved to their permanent home in Gloucester, near Harker's Island, NC. Tommy was always working on the house, boats, docks, gardens, garages, pump house or other project at their home.

Tommy had many passions throughout his life, including, bird hunting, fishing, scuba diving, treasure hunting, storytelling. But his great love was boat racing. He began racing outboards in 1951 while living on the James River in Hopewell VA. During his long career as a hydroplane boat builder and racer, Tommy was a great competitor; he won hundreds of races during his 40 years of active racing. His 850 hydroplane "Playtime" was a force on the east coast for many years. Other drivers complained that when Tommy showed up they were usually running for second place. In the 1980's he began racing in the 145 hydroplane class, teaming with his brother, Bob on numerous boats. They ran second and third in the 1990 National Championships and won the National and World Championships in 1992. Along the way they set several world records in the class.

In 1968 Tommy teamed with the Optimist Club of Raleigh to found the Tarheel Regatta on Lake Wheeler. This race became one of the most widely acclaimed powerboat races in the US. It was a divisional or national championship event for many years. This race ran for over 30 years and routinely drew boats from all over the US and Canada. Many racers remarked that this was the best run event in the country.
Tommy is survived by Lou Weaver, his loving wife of 36 years, his daughter Susan Weaver Prince and husband Andy of Garner, son, Glen of Raleigh, his step-daughter, Denise Perry Parker and husband Neal of Raleigh, his grandchildren Stephanie McLawhorn, Matt, and Ricky of Garner, grandchild, Conner McLawhorn and step-grandchildren, Emily and Jackson of Raleigh. He is also survived by his twin brother Billy of Williamsburg, his sister Carolyn Bobbitt of Cana, VA, sister Martha Powell of Cary, brother Bobby of Raleigh, and brother David N. Myrtle Beach, SC. and also a large extended family.

Lou, Tommy's wife, friend, and confidant, shared his love of fishing and laughter. Theirs was a great partnership. Tommy was blessed with a loving family and many friends and acquaintances through the years. He always had a smile and never met a stranger.

Memorial contributions should be made to the American Power Boat Association (APBA) at PO Box 377, Eastpointe, MI 48021-0377 or to Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Department of Neurology, PO Box 6028, Greenville, NC 27835-6028.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.mitchellatRMP.com

Arrangements under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC.