James Weakley

James "Jim" Weakley, 84, of Owensboro went to be with his Lord Monday, May 31 at Owensboro Medical Health System as a result of injuries sustained in an accident at his home earlier in the day. Born in Guthrie, Todd County, Kentucky, a son of the late Luther Lee Weakley and Hattie Williams Weakley, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and eloped to marry Virginia Woosley the day before he reported for active duty. He served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. San Jacinta in the South Pacific throughout World War II. He returned to civilian life and moved to Owensboro in 1947. An electrician and member of IBEW 1701 for 62 years, he worked with the former Griffin Electric and retired from Dyna Electric. He stayed active in his profession by lighting the steeple of Settle Memorial, working with Nitelighters, and helping his friends and neighbors with their electrical problems. Mr. Weakley became a member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church and the Open Door Sunday School Class in 1947, where he participated in many mission trips including trips to Belize and Haiti. He has helped many families through out the city know the joys of home ownership with his tireless work for Habitat for Humanity. He enjoyed NASCAR, UK basketball, croquet, gardening, and antique trucks and cars (including his 1937 Ford Pick Up) but his most cherished time was spent with his devoted wife and family. Mr. Weakley was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Lottie Weakley and his brothers and sisters, Mabel Leigh Banton, Howard L. Weakley, Claude A. Weakley, Billy W. Weakley, and Sarah Belle Keifer.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Virginia Weakley; daughters, Joyce Thompson and her husband Jimmy of Maceo, Phyllis Buskill and her husband Michael of Philpot; grandchildren, Jameson Thompson and his wife Tracy, Robin Nantz and her husband Chris all of Owensboro, Travis Thompson and his fianc Stacy Bowlds, Chris Buskill and his wife Tera all of Philpot, and Kelly Adams and her husband Rocky of Smyrna, TN; great-grandchildren, Carissa Nantz, Blythe Nantz, Jena Thompson, Nick Adams, Hope Adams, Seth Adams, Ace Buskill, Jax Buskill, Hunter Thompson and Griffin Thompson; brother, Durward Weakley of Florida and a sister, Charlotte Hays of Owensboro.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 9 a.m. on Friday at the church. Entombment will be in Owensboro Memorial Gardens.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Boulware Center or to Campus Crusade for Christ.