STANLEY WEGER JR.

WEGER, Stanley (Smoke) M., Jr. passed away on December 20, 2021 in Texarkana, Arkansas at 79 years of age. He was born in Flat Rock, Illinois on September 18, 1942 to Stanley M. Weger and Lola M. (Frossard) Weger. He graduated from Pascagoula (MS) High School in 1959; then entered the Navy at 17 years old and trained to the level of Master Electrician. He received a Certificate of Participation that’s reads: “Know all men by these presents that Stanley M. Weger participated in the 1962 Nuclear Tests known as Operation Dominic in the Pacific as part of the NAVY TASK GROUP, JOINT TASK FORCE EIGHT.” The citation continues: “and by his professional skill and devotion to duty has made a major contribution to the success of these tests.” After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, he applied his electrician training to establishing a highly successful business in Pine Bluff, Arkansas until 1991 when he moved to Northwest Arkansas. After working for several industries, including serving as an electrician at the University of Arkansas, he retired as Head of Electrician and Maintenance from Wadley Hospital in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was a man of many interests: He was a proud owner of several Corvettes as well as a unique antique Ford Coupe and was a member of three Car Clubs: NSRA, NE TEXAS TRAVELERS CAR CLUB, and LSSRA. He expressed his gift of creativity by designing a variety of projects including the building of a beautiful rocking chair and inscribing a poignant phrase to honor his beloved mother, a chair to rock his first-born granddaughter. He had an exceptional mastery of language for all occasions: A favorite took place at his mother’s gravesite: He said, “I have the heart of my mother and the hands of my father; If you ever need a hand, Stan’s your man.” He will be remembered fondly by his closest friend, Harold Hall and family. In addition, he will be dearly missed by his dedicated Hospice caretaker, Gail Coulter. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Patricia Parker. He is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Vicki (Smith) Weger of Paris, Texas, and her two children: daughter, Camey Rodgers, granddaughter, Rileigh; and son, Benjamin Gooding. He is, also, survived by two daughters: Dara Weger, grandaughter, Abby Rice; and Dr. Heather Weger, husband, Eric Song, grandson, Asher Gibbeum-Stanley Song, and grandaughter, Emmaline Song. He is, also, survived by two siblings: sister, Elizabeth “Boots” (Weger) Jessup, husband, Ervin Jessup and brother, Gregory Weger, wife, Dr. Patricia (Delancey) Weger. Funeral arrangements to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Kindred Hospice, 210 N. State Line Ave., #502; Texarkana, AR; 71854; Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive or P.O. Box 1950; Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950, or Alzheimer’s Association (Online at alz.org).