Herbert Wayne Weldon…August 27, 1939 – November 3, 2012

Visitation, for Herbert Wayne Weldon, was held Saturday, November 10, at Leawood Baptist Church, 8200 State Line Road, Leawood, Kansas 66206. In lieu of flowers and plants, please contribute to the Salvation Army, 1310 East 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri – 64106.  

Herbert Wayne Weldon was born in Van Buren, Arkansas on August 27, 1939 to Herbert Lee Weldon and Louise Gregory Weldon. He was their only child. The family moved around a lot, as Herb’s father drove several bread routes, served in World War II and later worked for the Wilson Food Company around Arkansas, St. Joseph Missouri, and later in Lamar, Colorado. Herb graduated from the Fayetteville, Arkansas High School in 1957. He followed his parents to Lamar, Colorado, where he began working for AT&T. It was in Lamar that Herb became friends with Nadine Rosencrans, and they would communicate by letter during his service in the Army. When he volunteered for the United States Army, AT & T promised that he would have employment upon his return. Even though when he first volunteered, the Army was going to deny admission because of a physical limitation due to Polio during his childhood, Herb found a doctor who would approve him and a way to serve the Army as radar and communications specialist. He served in the U.S. Army, including deployment in the Vietnam era, from 1962 until his honorable discharge in 1965.  

He returned to Lamar, Colorado to work for AT&T after serving and it was then that his friendship with Nadine blossomed into something more. The way Herb would tell the story was that after his friend Gary had introduced them, and after several years of friendship as both had dated other people, there was that one moment that he realized that Nadine Rosencrans was the most beautiful girl he ever saw. “Shoot,” she took his breath away. He drove over 2,000 miles from New Jersey to Colorado to propose to her. Herb and Nadine were married on May 23, 1965.  

When he was promoted within AT&T they transferred to Dalhart, Texas, where their first son, Lee was born in 1968. Around Christmas of 1970, Herb was promoted as a Supervisor for the AT&T Training Center in Kansas City, where they would continue to build their life together over the years. Kyle was born in 1972 and several years later, Dawn would surprise the family in 1980. Over the years as he worked as a Supervisor, Herb was known to take care of AT&T workers that came from all over the globe yet perhaps were struggling to make it here in Kansas City, some of them living in hotels or struggling to resettle in the area. He would invite them to dinner or provide them with gifts of basic necessities. People from India, Saudi Arabia, and around the globe were mentored and cared for by Herb. One family had emigrated from Mexico and when Herb learned they had next to nothing, he said to the family, “we’ve got to help them,” and the whole family gave everything they could to help.  

Living by the scripture of 1 Corinthians 9:22, Herb was known as a generous man who actively sought to serve others. Neighbors, friends, and even strangers were recipients of his care, his advice, his teaching, and his service. Even though the past 25 years Herb suffered from persistent pain related to childhood Polio, and declining health, he continued to find ways to serve. His personal “woodworking prayer ministry” included over 400 people that he prayed for, and blessed with handmade gifts, from signature plaques to kites, clocks to lights. He mentored many, teaching and training others in numerous practical skills. He was a servant. After 47 years of marriage, Nadine and all three children said goodbye to Herb as he passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2012. As Herb would tell you, he “went to be with Jesus.”

Herbert Wayne Weldon is survived by his wife Nadine and his children and their families: Lee and Anne Marie Weldon and their children Cameron and Ana of San Antonio, TX; Kyle and Kathy Weldon and their daughter Kylie of Lee’s Summit, MO; Dawn (Weldon) and Jay Thornton and their children Connor and Riley of Overland Park, KS. He leaves behind a legacy of many others who he mentored and befriended over the years. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com