Captain Bryan Jay Weaver Obituary (1955 - 2016)

Captain Bryan J. 'BattleChaps' Weaver May 5, 1955 - April 2, 2016 Captain Bryan J. "BattleChaps" Weaver, 60, USN, Active Duty, Beaufort, S.C., passed away on Saturday at Naval Hospital, Beaufort, S.C., after a long and valiant fight with cancer. He was one of the most highly decorated Navy chaplains. He was born in Johnstown, son of the late Marie Lois and Alfred Gale Weaver, who resides in Davidsville. In June of 1980, he married Shelly Buckhalt in Lexington, Virginia. Surviving are his wife; and three wonderful sons: Grant, Kurt, and Trent. Visitation will be at Anderson Funeral Home on Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 3 o'clock until 5 o'clock. Funeral service will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 11:30 am at Parish Church of St. Helena with interment at the Beaufort National Cemetery. In May of 1978, Bryan graduated with honors from Taylor University, Upland, Ind., which was where he met his wife, Shelly. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in May, 1983. On March 15, 1985, he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the Presbytery of Ohio of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He was commissioned in December, 1985 as a lieutenant, junior grade in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps in Pittsburgh. He served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for over 30 years. He was right there in the combat zones next to the Marines that he loved to serve. He once stated, "Men who come out to a combat zone either find their faith or they lose their faith." BattleChaps was there to help these young men and women find their faith. He leaned heavily on God's word, especially John 11:25. He last served as assistant chief of staff, Religious Ministries, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, S.C. In addition to his unit and service awards, his personal awards include Legion of Merit (one gold star), one bronze star, Meritorious Service Medal (one gold star), Navy Commendation Medal (three gold stars), Coast Guard Achievement Medal (one gold star), Navy Achievement Medal and the Fleet Marine Force Qualification Officer (FMFQO) insignia. He is honored by the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary through a scholarship fund established in his name. The family has suggested that donations be made to Captain Bryan J. Weaver Scholarship Fund. Checks may be mailed to Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 7418 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208. If there are any questions, please contact Mark Sampson, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Institutional Advancement