In the quiet community of Forest Grove, Oregon, 77-year-old Thomas Leroy Weightman, known affectionately as Tom, Tommy, or Taco, embarked on a walk on the morning of October 14, 2025, from his home near the intersection of Valley Crest Way and Circle Crest Drive. He was last seen that afternoon walking along NW Gales Creek Road. When he did not return by evening, his family grew concerned and reported him missing to the Forest Grove Police Department at approximately 5:37 p.m.
Thomas, a white male with white hair, a full white beard, and blue eyes, stood at 5 feet 9 inches and weighed around 165 pounds. He was wearing a red and black checkered flannel coat, a gray t-shirt, blue jeans, black shoes, and a dark green baseball hat, along with his gold-rimmed wire glasses. A scar on his right thumb was a distinguishing feature, and he wore a gold wedding band.
The initial stages of the search brought a glimmer of hope, yet also a sense of urgency. Police officers were able to make brief contact with Thomas via his cellphone. During these short conversations, he stated that he had fallen and was unsure of his location. The calls were unfortunately dropped, and despite repeated attempts, further contact could not be established. Efforts to pinpoint his location using cellphone data were unsuccessful due to the remote and rural nature of the area. This distressing news prompted an immediate and extensive search operation. The weather was a significant concern, with overnight temperatures dropping into the low 30s, a dangerous condition for anyone, especially an elderly man exposed to the elements.
The search for Thomas Weightman was a massive undertaking, spanning six days and involving approximately 800 personnel from a multitude of agencies. Led by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the search included the Forest Grove and Hillsboro police departments, Oregon State Police, and sheriff's offices from Clackamas, Hood River, Marion, Tillamook, Columbia, Multnomah, Clatsop, Yamhill, and Wasco counties. Specialized units such as the Civil Air Patrol, Mountain Wave Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, K-9 teams, and drone units scoured thousands of miles of challenging terrain. The search area was characterized by deep ravines, dense woods, and open farmland, making the effort incredibly difficult. Residents along Gales Creek Road were asked to diligently check their properties. After six days of exhaustive efforts yielded no signs of Thomas, the active search was suspended, and the investigation was handed over to Forest Grove Police Department detectives, a standard procedure in such cases. Foul play is not suspected in his disappearance. The case of Thomas Weightman remains a poignant mystery, a story of a man who went for a walk and vanished, leaving behind a community united in their efforts to find him and a family awaiting answers. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Forest Grove Police Department.Last Seen: Oct 14, 2025
