Obituary for Tony Weldon
Lenore Toncray “Tony” Weldon, age 65, of New Bloomfield, Mo., passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Tony was born on February 24, 1957 in New York, the daughter of William H. and Betty (Goshorn) Weldon. She attended Foxcroft School in Middleburg, VA and received her BA from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas; and JD, University of Tulsa Law School, Oklahoma.
Tony grew up around Mid Missouri’s media and publishing business. Her parents, William Weldon and Betty Goshorn Weldon, owned News Tribune, Fulton Sun Gazette, California Democrat, KWOS Radio, and KRCG TV. Using Tony’s grandfather's initials (Robert C. Goshorn), Jefferson City’s first television station, KRCG TV, went on the air Feb. 13, 1955. The television station is still located near Tony’s Callaway Hills Stables.
Before attending law school, Tony spent time with the newspaper business working for News Tribune, Inc. After law school, she clerked for Supreme Court Justices Ann Covington and Edward “Chip” Robertson. Tony worked for the State Courts and the Department of Corrections. She worked tirelessly as the Attorney and Deputy Juvenile Officer for The Michael W. Prenger Family Center. Tony was appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan to serve on the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. Later her focus gravitated back to the newspaper business as there was need for her to become Manager and Publisher of the Futon Sun Gazette newspaper, at that time a subsidiary of News Tribune Inc.
Tony was owner of Callaway Hills Stables, an American Saddlebred horse farm, located near New Bloomfield, Callaway County, Missouri. The stable was founded by Mrs. Betty G. Weldon in the 1940s. Tony was around Callaway Hills Stables all her life, involved in all phases of the operation, and lived at Callaway Hills Stables in the 1980s in one of the farmhouses.
Through the years, Callaway Hills Stables achieved great success beginning with World Champion stallion Will Shriver, born in 1966. Will Shriver won the World Championship in 1976 and soon after retired from the show ring to become one of the most prolific sires ever. His sons, Blue Northern and Caramic, have been important breeding stallions on the farm, as well as his grandsons. Throughout the years, his lineage made the Weldon’s Callaway Hills Stables one of the most renowned American Saddlebred breeding farms in the United States. Tony loved the horse business and devoted stellar efforts to Callaway Hills Stables. She received many awards including the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for Leading Sire in Saddlebred (2014); the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHA) Breeders Hall of Fame Award (2018); the ASHA Breeder of the Year (2014), and to Callaway Hills Stable (2007, 2008 and 2010). Under Tony's management in 2009, three Callaway Hills broodmares were inducted into the ASHA Hall of Fame, in addition to the nineteen Callaway broodmares that were previously inducted.
Tony’s love for horses and all animals began at a very young age. She enjoyed riding and showing her horses. Without doubt, throughout the years one of the softest spots in Tony’s heart was saved for her house pets. They were family. From her first dog, Sierra, to her last, Olivia, each added smiles and magic to her life.
Tony was an avid reader and always enjoyed the meetings with her Book Club ladies. She liked country music, Ricky Cook was among her favorites!
Tony will be remembered for many kindnesses and acts of sincere compassion. Tony is remembered by many true longtime friends. She attended Providence Baptist Church of New Bloomfield and was a member of Missouri Bar Association and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.
Survivors include: siblings, Sally Weldon of Charlottesville, Virginia and Gifford Weldon of Boca Raton, Florida; her niece, Isabelle Brooks of New York; godchildren, and many dear friends.
Tony was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Betty G. Weldon.
A private Celebration of Life for Tony will be held in the Freeman Chapel with Pastor Jim Shaver officiating and Carson Kressley and Ricky Cook sharing eulogies. Private graveside services and entombment will be held at the Goshorn Mausoleum in Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Callaway Hills Animal Shelter by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.
Tony was born on February 24, 1957 in New York, the daughter of William H. and Betty (Goshorn) Weldon. She attended Foxcroft School in Middleburg, VA and received her BA from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas; and JD, University of Tulsa Law School, Oklahoma.
Tony grew up around Mid Missouri’s media and publishing business. Her parents, William Weldon and Betty Goshorn Weldon, owned News Tribune, Fulton Sun Gazette, California Democrat, KWOS Radio, and KRCG TV. Using Tony’s grandfather's initials (Robert C. Goshorn), Jefferson City’s first television station, KRCG TV, went on the air Feb. 13, 1955. The television station is still located near Tony’s Callaway Hills Stables.
Before attending law school, Tony spent time with the newspaper business working for News Tribune, Inc. After law school, she clerked for Supreme Court Justices Ann Covington and Edward “Chip” Robertson. Tony worked for the State Courts and the Department of Corrections. She worked tirelessly as the Attorney and Deputy Juvenile Officer for The Michael W. Prenger Family Center. Tony was appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan to serve on the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. Later her focus gravitated back to the newspaper business as there was need for her to become Manager and Publisher of the Futon Sun Gazette newspaper, at that time a subsidiary of News Tribune Inc.
Tony was owner of Callaway Hills Stables, an American Saddlebred horse farm, located near New Bloomfield, Callaway County, Missouri. The stable was founded by Mrs. Betty G. Weldon in the 1940s. Tony was around Callaway Hills Stables all her life, involved in all phases of the operation, and lived at Callaway Hills Stables in the 1980s in one of the farmhouses.
Through the years, Callaway Hills Stables achieved great success beginning with World Champion stallion Will Shriver, born in 1966. Will Shriver won the World Championship in 1976 and soon after retired from the show ring to become one of the most prolific sires ever. His sons, Blue Northern and Caramic, have been important breeding stallions on the farm, as well as his grandsons. Throughout the years, his lineage made the Weldon’s Callaway Hills Stables one of the most renowned American Saddlebred breeding farms in the United States. Tony loved the horse business and devoted stellar efforts to Callaway Hills Stables. She received many awards including the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for Leading Sire in Saddlebred (2014); the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHA) Breeders Hall of Fame Award (2018); the ASHA Breeder of the Year (2014), and to Callaway Hills Stable (2007, 2008 and 2010). Under Tony's management in 2009, three Callaway Hills broodmares were inducted into the ASHA Hall of Fame, in addition to the nineteen Callaway broodmares that were previously inducted.
Tony’s love for horses and all animals began at a very young age. She enjoyed riding and showing her horses. Without doubt, throughout the years one of the softest spots in Tony’s heart was saved for her house pets. They were family. From her first dog, Sierra, to her last, Olivia, each added smiles and magic to her life.
Tony was an avid reader and always enjoyed the meetings with her Book Club ladies. She liked country music, Ricky Cook was among her favorites!
Tony will be remembered for many kindnesses and acts of sincere compassion. Tony is remembered by many true longtime friends. She attended Providence Baptist Church of New Bloomfield and was a member of Missouri Bar Association and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.
Survivors include: siblings, Sally Weldon of Charlottesville, Virginia and Gifford Weldon of Boca Raton, Florida; her niece, Isabelle Brooks of New York; godchildren, and many dear friends.
Tony was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Betty G. Weldon.
A private Celebration of Life for Tony will be held in the Freeman Chapel with Pastor Jim Shaver officiating and Carson Kressley and Ricky Cook sharing eulogies. Private graveside services and entombment will be held at the Goshorn Mausoleum in Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Callaway Hills Animal Shelter by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.