Obituary of Alan Weatherford

The life of an amazing man.

How does one capture the essence of a man like Alan Weatherford? 

Alan Weatherford was born on March 6, 1945, the son of Bob & Lila Weatherford of Clarence, Missouri.  He graduated from Clarence High in 1963 and from Central Methodist College in 1967 and later received advanced degrees from the University of Central Missouri. 

While at Central Methodist, he met the love of his life Carol. They were married on August 28, 1965 at Grace United Methodist Church in Higginsville, Missouri.  During their 55 years of marriage, Alan and Carol were true soul mates.  Together, they traveled though all 50 states and several foreign countries. Carol never missed a game that Alan coached.  Alan tagged along with Carol to many of her MNEA-Retired get-togethers where he was usually the light of the party. 

Alan was a man of diverse talents and interests.  During his 36-year career as an educator, he was a classroom teacher, a bus owner/driver, an administrator, a guidance counselor, and a successful coach of football, basketball, softball and track.  He taught and coached in a number of school districts: South Shelby, Salisbury, Appleton City, Archie, and Belton.  After retirement from his career in Missouri, he was a counselor and coach in Kansas.

Upon his retirement in 2004, Alan took on the challenging project of building a home on a wooded acreage near the Lake of the Ozarks.  With little previous construction skill, and the assistance of his wife Carol, as well as good friends and neighbors, he designed and built a spacious 3-level home.  In later years, this corner of paradise was a matter of pride (and sometimes bewilderment) to Alan.  As he sat in his recliner, gazing at the walls and windows, the catwalk and fireplace, he often commented, “I can't believe we really built this house!” 

Alan had a lifelong passion for music.  In his teens and twenties, he was a percussionist in his high school marching band and a drummer with several rock bands.  Years later, he picked up his sticks again... singing and playing drums with his church's “Out of Hand” Praise Band.  After moving to the Lake, he enjoyed the camaraderie of the percussion section in the Lake Area Community Orchestra.  He especially loved beating rhythms & harmonizing with the Harper Chapel praise band.

Alan was a singer with a beautiful tenor voice. Whether leading children's Bible School music, harmonizing with his brothers, singing in church choirs or the Greater Lake Area Chorale, he found joy in vocal music.  Just two weeks before his passing, he sang with the Harper Chapel choir for their Good Friday service of music.

Alan's faith beliefs were quiet and profound.  He walked the walk rather than talking the talk.  Throughout his life, he was actively involved in the United Methodist Church.  On three occasions he was part of a Mission Team to Juarez, Mexico, where he helped build houses for indigent families. On another occasion he drove a busload of youth to Four Corners, New Mexico to conduct a Bible School for Native American children.  He served Harper Chapel as a Stephen Minister and was the conductor of the bell choir. 

Besides sports, music, and travel, Alan's favorite things included playing cards and board games with his grand kids, feeding and watching the birds, gardening, cutting wood for his fireplace, watching old Westerns on TV, volunteering to assist anyone (friend, family or stranger) who needed a helping hand...and, of course, eating strawberry ice cream, blackberry cobbler, and apricot bread pudding!  His laugh and sense of humor made him a “kid magnet.” He loved children, and they loved him.

Alan is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 55 years, Carol; daughter Robin Weatherford & husband Frank Mendoza; daughter Molly Sappington and husband Eric; grandchildren Zettye Weatherford Brown, William Alan Ayers, Hannah Jane Ayers, Jack Alan Sappington, and Johnny Gaines Sappington.  He held a unique place in his heart for his niece Susan Wegener and nephew Matt Proett.  Also surviving are his three brothers: Dale, Paul, and Carl; his 95-year-old mother, Lila Weatherford; and a host of other relatives.  He was preceded in death by his father, Bob Weatherford.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Harper Chapel United Methodist Church, the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, or the Missouri NEA-Retired Charitable Fund, (designated to “CHEER” – Caring Help for Educational Endeavors by Retirees.)