John Philip Weeden 55, passed away April 22, 2023 in Orlando, FL.
A native Orlandoan, John was born August 27, 1967. He attended Edgewater High School class of 1985 and studied Advertising at University of Central Florida.
He began his career as Marketing and Public Relations Manager at Muzak LLC, worked as Audio Engineer at SeaWorld from 1985-1993, from 2002-2008 he worked at Macquarie Mortgages USA, was the Former Worship Pastor at LifePoint Church in West Tampa 2003-2006. John was President & Founder, Producer at Flipster Music and most recently from 2020 to present, Producer, Singer-Songwriter & Recording Artist at Rhymes With Sweden. With an 80’s groove and lush harmonies, Rhymes With Sweden brings hope, love and encouragement to the world. On his one-year wedding anniversary, John’s song “SoulMate” was their latest single. A song that he wrote for his wife Andrea and performed at their wedding.
John was presently employed as Director of Business Development at Zonda Real Estate. In a letter received from their chief Sales Officer, the Zonda family expressed how they will greatly miss John’s update “Coming to you all from sunny Central Florida” on their weekly sales pipeline call. He was a respected colleague and a true friend, and will be remembered for his positivity, kindness and generosity. They comment that of the nine years they had the pleasure of knowing him, they had never seen him happier than the last couple of years.
John’s motto was To God be the glory, come what may.
As a singer-songwriter, recording artist and worship leader, nothing was more important than the physical ability to draw in air and belt out songs to sing. He sang for 40 years, led worship services in the music ministry since 1997. Written hundreds of songs, released 18 songs on Spotify and Apple Music in the past 2 years, and planned to release another 5 songs and a new album (God willing) by this summer. In December, he was diagnosed with “end-stage pulmonary fibrosis,” which dramatically impacted his everyday life. John was hoping to get on the waiting list for a double lung transplant with the distinct possibility that it might take place within the next 6-24 months.
John wrote: My wife Andrea and the kids have been very strong and helpful through this dramatic change affecting our family. I am truly blessed by their love. I am also moved by the hundreds of people in our church family praying over me.
Recently at the men’s Advanced Boot Camp, approximately 50 men laid hands on John and prayed. Even though he was still physically able to lead worship while wearing an oxygen tube, his team of 4 consisted of a lead singer, a second guitarist and a drummer, filling out the sound and taking the burden off of John. He said “ Even though the enemy may be trying to sideline me by paralyzing my lungs, I will NOT stop praising the Lord. I will not be silenced. Once a worship pastor, always a worship pastor. There is no retirement in God’s kingdom—just a pivot in mission.”
He believed that in this fallen world, God does not create sickness and disease. But through His mercy, He longs for us to grow closer to Him and help us walk through it. It’s in our weakness that God’s power is perfect (2 Cor 12:9). He was at peace through this ordeal, and had faith that God would guide him though this, even though he didn’t know how this would turn out, he trusted His sovereignty and His wisdom and gave Him the glory, no matter what.
John will be remembered for being a dedicated family man that loved his family dearly. He is survived by his loving wife, Andrea Torres Weeden; his beloved children, Kara Weeden, John “Jay” Weeden Jr, Gabriella Ariosa, Matteos Ariosa, and Isabella Ariosa; loved parents, Philip and Maria Weeden; brothers, Carey Weeden and Mark Weeden and his wife, Kristen; his Godson and nephew, Logan and nieces and nephews, Alayna, Olivia, Brandon, Sofia and Anthony; and a host of Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He will also be missed by his three beloved dogs, Sadie, Princess and Loki. John will be greatly missed by all.