PROFILE IN TIME
The Weston History Legacy Father & Son Shared a Love for the Area’s Rich History by Debbie Neece, Bartlesville Area History Museum Father and son, Edgar Earl and George Earl Weston, shared more than their middle names; they shared an insatiable thirst and love of area history. Edgar Weston arrived in Washington County as a child and received his education through the Dewey School system. He then worked for the City of Dewey Water Department, National Zinc and the Dewey Portland Cement Plant before enlisting in the U.S. Army during WWII. Upon his return to Washington County, he and his wife Geraldine farmed west of Copan while he served as a bailiff for the Washington County Court until his retirement. Now for most people retirement holds a much different meaning than it did for Edgar Weston. He devoted his life to all things Washington County history. He was the director and worked to establish the Tom Mix Museum; president of the Washington County Historical Society; manager of the Dewey Hotel; and served the Arts and Humanities and Chamber of Commerce. And that is just a start. It was Edgar’s love of Washington County history that spurred him to deeply research and deliver one of the most anticipated events associated with the annual OKMozart Festival…the “Weston Driving Tours.” And his “Revisiting the Past” history articles in the Examiner Enterprise thrilled weekly readers. Edgar’s passion for history bled to his son, George, who generously shared his knowledge of Washington and Osage County history with all who were interested. George was born in Bartlesville and graduated from Copan High School and from the Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri with a Master’s Degree in Theology. He married the love of his life, Janice O’Neil and they recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary as witnessed by friends and family including daughter, Jennifer and son, Andrew. George Weston has been my history mentor since I first inquired about the Dewey Roundup. “Come on over and we’ll see what we can find,” were his words. And this generous man has helped with any project or friend’s project I have brought him. He was thrilled to help David Grann with his “Killers of the Flower Moon” book and Daniel Swan’s Osage Wedding Dress tradition research, which resulted in an unbelievable exhibit at the Osage Tribal Museum in Pawhuska. EDGAR & GERALDINE WESTON
Edgar Weston at the Dewey Hotel.
Some people know him as Reverend George Weston, 40year pastor of the First Christian Church in Fairfax, and when Steve and I took him and Jan out for a meal on our visits, there was a constant greeting of area friends. How do you describe this faithful man of God, this loving husband, father and grandfather? He wed, baptized and comforted families who were in loss. He was a servant and his accomplishments on earth are being well rewarded in heaven: Fairfax Area Chamber of Commerce, Fairfax Senior Citizen’s Board, Fairfax Public Library Board Member, Fairfax Historical Society Member and instrumental with Fairfax Museum, Ministerial Alliance, Youth Services of Osage County from Pawhuska OK, Grayhorse Masonic Lodge Chaplain, Housing Authority of Osage County named their Fairfax Addition in his honor and more.
GEORGE & JANICE WESTON
Edgar Earl Weston left this earth in 2002 and his son George Earl Weston was greeted by the angels on December 18, 2019. He was a friend to all, my history mentor and I will greatly miss his ornery smile but the Weston History Legacy will continue to touch Washington and Osage Counties forever. MARCH 2020 | b Monthly
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