Hugh Irwin Weathersby

ODESSA — Hugh Irwin Weathersby, 83, of Odessa, died Tuesday, August 10, 2004. He was born May 19, 1921, in May, Texas, to Charles Edward and Laura Fedonia Weathersby. He graduated from May High School in 1939. At 18, he traveled to Odessa to be closer to his brother and sisters who had already moved here. His first job was at Smith Laundry and later at Banner Creamery.
In January 1942, Hugh enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After basic training, he attended radio school at Scott Field, Illinois. In November of 1942, he went overseas on the Queen Mary. He served with the Eighth Air Force, 401st Bombardment Group. He was stationed at USAAF Station 128 near Deenthorpe, England. He served for the next twenty months as a control tower operator. He arrived back in the states June 29, 1945, aboard the Queen Elizabeth. Upon honorable discharge, he returned to Odessa and began working in the oilfield.
After roughnecking for Phillips Petroleum, Hugh joined the TOTCO team on August 16, 1946, as the company’s sixth field service hand. As the company grew, he moved up to sales and service hand, field salesman, division sales manager, division manager, regional manager and finally regional sales coordinator. Hugh traveled hundreds of thousands of miles for TOTCO. When he retired in August of 1986, his territory was made up of an area from Odessa to Anchorage, Alaska, and everything west. Although he retired with the company after forty years, he never stopped being a TOTCO hand. In fact he worked for several years after retirement as a consultant for the company.
On March 17, 1950, Hugh married Ruby Elenora Thacker in the front room of their home. There they lived and raised two daughters, Wanda and Carla. His daughters were always special to him but his two grandsons, Houston and Carson, were the pride and joy of his life. Anyone who was around him for very long would get to hear a story about their accomplishments.
Hugh was a member of First Christian Church where he was active for 54 years. He served in almost every capacity at the church. During this time at First Christian, he was a deacon, an elder, a member of the board, and chairman of the board. Some of his fondest memories were spending weekends working at Black River, the church camp near Carlsbad, New Mexico. On January 21, 2001, Hugh was named as Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church.
Hugh was a 42nd degree Mason and a member of Lodge 955. On April 16th, 2001, he attained the high honor of being a Scottish Rite Mason for fifty years. He was also a member of the Odessa Shrine Club
Hugh was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby in 2001; his oldest daughter, Wanda Jean Lyon in 1986; his siblings Herman Weathersby, Altus Weathersby, Zelma Hurley and Winnie Smith; and his parents.
He is survived by his daughter, Carla Weathersby of Odessa; his grandsons, Houston Lyon and his wife, Erin, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Carson Lyon of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by his sisters, Opal Silhavy, Ruth Gober and Faye Murphy and her husband, Curtis; by his son-in-law, P.A. Lyon and his wife, Bridget; and by his faithful schnauzer, Smiley.
Graveside services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2004, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Dr. David Mindel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to Home Hospice, First Christian Church or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Jackie Freeman from Home Hospice for excellent care and dedication to helping Hugh during the last few weeks. A special thanks is also extended to Frances Moran, Betty Gray, Tina Sosa and Stormy Daniels for taking care of him daily. Words are inadequate to describe your dedication and compassion.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.