Weldon Andrew Gann, 67, passed on to his reward on November 10, 2020 in Bedford, Texas.
Weldon was born September 5, 1953, in Wichita Falls, to Wilburn Andrew (W.A.) and Marilyn (Hemphill) Gann.
As the oldest of seven, Weldon would play the role of school teacher with his siblings as his students. He also mowed many lawns with them on hot Texas days. He enjoyed time with his family at Possum Kingdom Lake and at his grandparents’ 5-Acre Ranch near Saginaw, Texas. His family attended Floral Heights church of Christ in Wichita Falls while he was growing up. During his teens, he began leading singing and began preaching. Weldon graduated as valedictorian from Hirschi High School in 1972 and was recognized as a National Merit Finalist. He always had tremendous team spirit and state pride. He promoted and rooted for every Texas team across several sports (especially the Hirschi Huskies, Abilene Wylie Bulldogs, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers). He also loved the Texas Trifecta: Dr Pepper, Whataburger, and Blue Bell ice cream.
He attended Midwestern State University and earned his Bachelor’s in Education and Minor in History. During his college years, he met Sharon Oden at Floral Heights, when she was visiting her grandparents. She transferred to Midwestern and they married in 1976.
After Weldon’s graduation, they moved to Graham, Texas, where Weldon began preaching at the Hillside church of Christ in 1976. He helped set up a foster care program in Graham, establishing a small storehouse of necessary goods and clothing. He and Sharon helped foster a few children and taught other parents how to foster. While in Graham, Justin and Nathan, their first two children, were born.Â
In 1985, the young family moved to Abilene, Texas, where Weldon began preaching at the South 14th & Oak Street church of Christ. While in Abilene, Aaron, their third son, was born. Weldon also held several part-time jobs. In 1995, Wylie ISD hired him as a full-time 6th grade World History and English teacher. He retired from teaching in 2014 and retired from preaching in 2016 due to his health. Weldon and Sharon moved to Fort Worth shortly after his retirement.
Weldon enjoyed Westerns, musicals, Hallmark movies, and game shows. He also loved to play games with his family, including dominoes and word games, as well as board games with the children. When he wasn’t reading the Bible, he would often read biographies and other historical non-fiction. During his nearly five decades of preaching, he officiated and attended many weddings and funerals.
Weldon deeply loved his family and traveled to Wichita Falls many weekends, spending time at his mother’s home as well as his in-laws’. When he wasn’t visiting family or selling tickets to games, he was often transporting others to gospel meetings near and far. On top of that, he enjoyed visiting the sick and shut-ins, calling relatives, and leading his sons’ Cub Scout troops.
Survivors include his wife: Sharon (Oden) Gann of Fort Worth; his mother: Marilyn Oden of Wichita Falls; siblings and their spouses: Carol and Jay Conner of Newport, NC, Clint and Traci Gann of Bedford, Nolan Gann of Wichita Falls, Gilbert and Laurie Gann of Haltom City, Joe and Lisa Gann of Iowa Park; his sons and 2 grandchildren: Justin Gann of Brenham, Nathan and Danielle Gann (Rose and Clyde) of Morgan’s Point Resort, Aaron Gann of Fort Worth; 11 nieces and nephews; and 3 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Weldon was preceded in death by his father, W.A. Gann; his sister, Laura Gann; and his grandson, Seth Gann.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Sacred Selections.