George Eliot Weeks, 87, of Moundville, passed away Sept. 1 at DCH Regional Medical Center. He was born July 10, 1939, in Jamestown, New York, to John Eliot Bocchino and Grace Baker Bocchino. He was later adopted by his beloved stepfather after his mother, Grace Baker Weeks, returned home to Alabama and married Thomas Powers Weeks.
Dr. Weeks was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann McCraw Weeks; his sister, JoAnne Phares (William); and his sister-in-law, Audrey Weeks. He is survived by his brother, Thomas Weeks; sons Scott Weeks (Ann) and Powers Weeks (Tracie); grandchildren Andrea Tynes (Clay), Thomas Weeks (Lindsey), Logan Weeks (Kaleigh) and Britain Weeks; and eight great-grandchildren.
He graduated from Akron High School before attending the University of Alabama, where he received his B.S. and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering. He later received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. For the majority of his career, Dr. Weeks taught aerospace engineering at the University of Alabama. He also did consulting work for NASA, Naval Air and Missile Defense Command, the Army and others. A few of his projects included work on the Patriot missile guidance system, the Hubble Space Telescope and heat shields on the space shuttle.
Although his accomplishments were many, knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was his priority. He was a Bible scholar and used his talent for learning to teach others. He served as a deacon, teacher and leader in Mt. Hebron Baptist Church until he died.
The family will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Mt. Hebron Cemetery Fund or Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, 275 County Road 75, Akron, AL 35441.
