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Clarence Dwayne Weaver, Jr., affectionately known as CJ, was born on May 6, 1988 in Evanston, Illinois to his parents, Clarence D. Weaver Sr. and Wendy Weaver—the second of three children. CJ departed this life on Thursday, September 3, 2020.
As a child, CJ began his education at Dewey school before finishing middle school at Martin Luther King Jr Laboratory [King Lab]. CJ had many hobbies growing up. At home he spent many hours playing basketball in the backyard, dressing up in his fire suit grabbing his toy fire trucks and watching Backdraft [daily], and playing the typical video games. Outside of the house, he spent Saturday mornings with the Mike Jr Bowlers at Classic Bowl in the Fall and competing in the FAAM basketball league at Fleetwood Jourdain in the Winter.
CJ attended Evanston Township High School [ETHS] in the graduating class of 2010. Throughout his time at ETHS, CJ was apart of the ETHS diving team. Alongside one of his closest friends, he finished at the top of the ranks in the state of Illinois. While in high school, CJ continued to bowl in tournaments with his father. In one of those tournaments CJ bowled a perfect 300 game.
Following high school, he pursued his dream of becoming a firefighter. To fulfill his dream he worked in internships with the Evanston Fire Department where he was able to participate in various ride-a-longs within the city of Evanston. Soon after this, CJ started working with Mr. Handyman Home Repair and the Evanston Minority Business Consortium Pre-apprentice Program where his career as a carpenter began.
At an early age, CJ gave his life to Christ at Second Baptist Church under the pastoral guidance of Dr. Hycel B Taylor. As a member of Second Baptist, CJ participated in the Faith and Freedom drill team, sang with the Voices of Faith and Freedom Choir, and in his teenage years served as the church’s drummer.
In 2013, CJ married Alexandria Nivose, and to this union his son Malachi David Alexander was born. Although his marriage didn’t last, he was blessed with his son, Mali, who was the love of his life. A social media post in 2016 [with a picture of CJ and Malachi] was captioned saying “When I leave this earth ima leave a twin, my right hand”. Recently, CJ built his carpentry business, CJ Design, LLC. His business ranged throughout the Chicagoland area rehabbing living spaces with likeminded entrepreneurs that were members of the Renovation Room. He used his experiences to showcase what a hard working black man can build after overcoming obstacles. Peers noticed CJ’s recent success and used him as a mentor to build a portfolio of their own.
CJ had a passion to motivate and provide positivity to all, specifically within the African-American community. He would reach out to those he trusted with aspirations to rebuild our communities, empower the citizens within our community, and spread joy to those who needed it most. His laugh, dance moves, love for swimming, boating and fishing is what he will leave as lasting memories. While CJ’s life was cut short, we know he lived it to its fullest. CJ leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Malachi Weaver of Evanston, IL, parents, Clarence Sr. and Wendy Weaver, sister, Stephanie (Ivan) Simmons of Chicago, IL, brother, Malcolm Weaver of Indianapolis, IN, his grandmother, Thelma Weaver of Chicago, IL. Girlfriend, Erica Lopez (Faith and Jamarion), and a host of other uncles, aunts, relatives and friends. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director
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