Chris Merrill Weber

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Chris Merrill Weber, 71, of San Antonio, FL, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother died November 2, 2020, in Wesley Chapel, FL surrounded by his wife and children. Chris was born September 11, 1949 in Afton, Mo., the son of William Frank Weber and Mildred Clara Longhibler-Weber. A 1967 graduate of Highland Park High School in Topeka, KS, Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts in business management from the University of Missouri and a Master of Science from Troy State in 1981. He attended Squadron Officer School (1980) and Air Command and Staff College (1983). He entered the United States Air Force in 1971 in St. Louis, Mo and proudly served his country for 22.5 years. He retired from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in 1993. During his years in the military, Chris served as a missile operations officer and a Chief of public affairs officer. He received numerous honors, including a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, AF Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, and National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Air Force Training Ribbon, and Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon. Chris played an integral role as part of the planning team for the first public showing of the F-117A stealth fighter plane and was at the unveiling at Nellis AFB, NV in 1990. Chris was a key participant in the Iranian Hostage Crisis aiding in the release of Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens that were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981. His overseas tours included Germany and Saudi Arabia. After Chris' retirement from the USAF in 1993 Chris worked in various public affairs positions before retiring in 2018 from Westshore Alliance in Tampa, FL as the Director of Transportation working with various state and county agencies on planning and innovation ideas to ensure the Westshore community will grow and thrive. In retirement Chris enjoyed doing many activities together with his wife Penny and friends including golf, cruising, travel, visiting family, bowling or just a quiet evening at home. His biggest passion after his wife was his love of the game of golf. Chris was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred Weber, and his older brother, Dean Edward Weber. Chris is survived by his wife, Penny Susan Weber; daughter Tami Lierz (Ivan); sons Chris Weber (Shelly) and Thomas Weber (TJ); stepdaughters Candy Hunley and Jessica Berry; stepson John Stewart; grandchildren Dillon McDaniel, Kennedy McDaniel, Taryn Weber, Caden Weber, Alex Sullivan, Devin Sullivan, Kenzie Sullivan, and Liam Sullivan; one great-granddaughter, Aurora McDaniel; brother Gary William Weber; cousins Jack, Reed, and Penny Hannabaum; nieces and nephew Kim, Kelly, and Jason; great-nieces Brandy, Nicky, and Lilly. Chris will be interned with military honors at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. Interment will be Monday, November 16, 11:00 am. Guests please plan to arrive by 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers those who wish may direct memorial contributions to https://teeitupforthetroops.org/

Chris Merrill Weber

September 11, 1949 - November 2, 2020