The community surrounding Northview High School is in mourning following the passing of longtime teacher and coach Tommy Weaver, husband of Northview principal Gayle Weaver, on Wednesday.

Weaver, a graduate of the University of West Alabama, had been a teacher at Northview for eight years serving as the school’s DCT (Diversified Career Technology) and teaching horticulture. Along with his teaching duties, Weaver also assisted as a coach with baseball and football, while working with the Quarterback Club, FFA (Future Farmers of America), the the FFA Alumni organization and sponsored the Northview senior class.

The duties listed on the school’s Web site do not mention all of the details of the roles that Weaver played.

His work with athletics and his students are some of the things that made him special, Northview Chiefs head football coach Sid Wheatley said.

“He’s one of the best men I’ve ever been around,” Wheatley said. “He had a hand in everything and anything, and he was always helping with baseball and football. I know his kids in the DCT program are feeling a big loss today. Mr. Weaver was a precious man, and he did so much for me personally.”

The passing rocked not only Northview, but those who have moved on from the school as well including former students and coaches.
Austin Cooper, a graduated of the Northview Class of 2010, remembered Weaver as being there for his students.

“Mr. Weaver was always there for you,” Cooper said. “He was there cutting up or getting on to you. Anytime you needed advice, he would be there to give it. I remember when I was thinking about going to college to play football, he spoke to me about not having any regrets. He was just always there.”

Escambia County High School athletic director Mark Heaton, a former offensive coordinator for Northview, said Weaver was consistently working to make Northview the best school possible.

“Tommy was a Northview guy,” Heaton said. “He did so much for the school and its athletics programs. He would help anyone with anything they needed because he was dedicated to making that school a better place. The entire Weaver family is tremendous and they are all givers. It’s a sad time there right now because he will be missed.”

The impact Weaver had at Northview was quickly seen Wednesday night with messages of remembrance being posted on Facebook, as well as the creation of an In Memory of Tommy Weaver page being created that had reached 449 likes by Thursday morning.

Weaver was 61 and is survived by his wife, Gayle Weaver, son Toby and daughter Tara Smith.