Long-time agriculturalist, Thomas William Weber, of Friend, passed away Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Bryan West Campus at the age of 80.
He was born in Friend on Jan. 10, 1943, to Benjamin R. and Alberta I. (Plock) Weber. Thomas was a graduate of Friend High School. After high school, Tom met Glady Pribyl and was married on April 17, 1963. From this union, three children were born: Darrol, Darren, and Dustin.
Tom was heavily involved with farming. He often spent his days on the farm planting crops, repairing and maintaining equipment, irrigating and refurbishing tractors and grain trucks. Not only was Tom productive on his own farm, but he was also active in the farming community. He served on the Production Credit Association as a board member for eight years throughout the 1980s, also participating as a director on the board of the Farmers Union and Co-op and was a board member for more than 30 years. Besides his history in the agriculture business, Tom was also associated with the Masonic Utica Lodge No. 96, a member of the Friend Congregational Church, where he sang in choir for 60 years and a church chairman in which he was heavily involved. Tom was a faithful blood donor, donating more than 15 gallons.
Survivors include his wife, Glady, Friend; sons Darrol (Erin) Weber, Darren (Miriam) Weber, and Dustin (Rachel) Weber; eight grandchildren, Jessica (Chris) Romero, Kanan (Sean) Case, Owen and Brayden Hemmingsen, Alexandra, Austin, Samantha, and Vivian Weber; four great-grandchildren, Jameson and Declan Case, and Margo and Wyatt Romero; nephew, Barry Bottger; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Weber.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; great-grandchild, Nolan Romero; sister, Pat Bottger and brother-in-law, Bob Bottger; niece, Terry Lynn Bottger; brother, Dick Weber; and daughter-in-law, Lenna Weber.
A Celebration of Life Service was Nov. 18, at the Friend Congregational Church with a graveside service at the Exeter Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Friend Congregational Church on behalf of the family. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
