Val Joe Weaver

Val Joe Weaver Senior, 77, of Fruita, Colorado passed away on May 4, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born on August 17, 1946, in Filmore, Utah. Joe grew up in Frannie, Wyoming with his parents Don Paul Weaver and Martha Elizabeth Ives. He was the second of nine siblings. He attended Deaver High School where he participated in football, basketball, and track. He later attended college in Wyoming.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Scotland Mission. After his mission, he joined the U.S. Army and served his country in the Vietnam War as an airman in the 101st Airborne Division.

He would work in the oilfield for the rest of his working life. He followed an oil rig to Roosevelt, Utah where he saw the prettiest woman he had ever seen through the bank teller window. After a blind date (only to her) on February 13, 1972, they fell in love and he married Toni Hoopes on June 1, 1972, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Joe’s career would later take them overseas to Scotland and England with Lofland Brothers Oil Company where he worked on the North Sea. While there he returned to and served in the Bishopric in the land where he had served his mission years before. After returning to the U.S. they lived in Roosevelt, Utah before moving to Fruita, Colorado in 1981. Throughout their life together they added one daughter and four sons to their family. As he knew his time was short he informed us that all he wanted said about him was that his family was everything to him and the most important thing in his life and none of that other garbage mattered.

“Big Joe”, as he was affectionately known to many, served faithfully as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in many callings including Young Men’s President, High Counselor, Bishop, and home teacher. He and Toni also served a service mission at the Mesa County Jail. He loved to serve others whether it be a ward garden, raising 120 tomato plants to drive tomatoes around his ward, delivering homemade ice cream weekly to the members of his ward, or the countless fruit snacks, Tootsie Pops and Blow Pops that he passed out every Sunday to all of his friends that were under 3 foot tall. Joe left a legacy and shoes that will never be filled. He was truly one of a kind.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of nearly 52 years, Toni of Fruita, Colorado, his daughter Kelli McCall (Sean) of Fruita, Colorado, and four sons, Joe Jr. of Fruita, Colorado, Bo of Midland, Texas, Cody (Sarah) of Fruita, Colorado, and Chevy of Fruita, Colorado, and bonus daughter, Julie Gates (Ron) of Ridgefield, Washington. Five granddaughters- Sheali Jo, Joni, Katee and Lizzie McCall and Madison Gentzler. His four brothers- Doug Weaver (Jan) of Frannie, Wyoming, David Weaver (Carla) Mesa, Arizona, Don Weaver (Lynn) Green River, Wyoming, and Mark Weaver (Liz) Tucson, Arizona. His three sisters- Trudy Weaver (Lynn) of Leesburg, Virginia, Julie Weaver of Glenrock, Wyoming, and Susan Miller (David)!. He had 59 nieces and nephews that will remember him fondly.

He was preceded in death by his parents- Don and Bessie Weaver and his parents-in-law- Stanley and Loa Hoopes, brother Tim Weaver and sisters-in-law Marlene McKee and Gayla Herkimer.