JAMES O. WEAVER

February 08, 2023

James O. Weaver was born November 15, 1944, to Lawrence and Thelma Weaver in Limon, Colo. After a long and complete life, Jim went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2023, at Monument Health in Rapid City, S.D. Jim attended Limon Public Schools and graduated from Limon High School in 1962. While in high school, he played on seven state championship teams. During his senior year, he earned first team All-State in Football and First Team All-State in Basketball. He also ran on the state record-setting mile relay team. Following high school, Jim attended Colorado State University where he played football for four years. He obtained his degree in Health Physical Education and Recreation in 1967. In 1964, Jim married Susan Sebastion. Together they had two children, Leslie and James. Jim started his teaching and coaching career in Eads, Colo. in 1967, where Jim served as a biology teacher and head football coach. In 1969, he accepted a biology teaching position, assistant football coach, and head girls track coach in Limon, Color. In 1971, Jim began work at Rapid City Central High School where he taught biology and led students as an assistant football and head girls track coach. In 1975, he started a new career with Dakota Sports where he ran the store. This position allowed him to work with all the coaches and school administrators in western South Dakota. Over the next 43 years with Dakota Sports, Jim made many long-lasting friendships. He retired in 2018.

In 1987, Jim and Kathy Bren were married in Kauai, Hawaii. In the 36 years of marriage, they have seen their family of 5 children grow to 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. For Jim, it has been great becoming GJ or GGJ. Sports have always been a big part of Jim’s life. He attended Denver Bronco games in 1960. The highlight of being a Bronco fan was when he was able to attend Super Bowl 50 when the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers. He followed the Colorado State Rams football and basketball teams. His interest in football led him to the Rapid City Midget Football program where he spent many years working with the youth of Rapid City. Jim is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Leslie (Bernard) Ethridge of White Plains, Ga., and son James of Ranchester, Wyo., stepdaughter Lanette Bren (fiancée Jim) of Spearfish, and stepsons Darrick (Mary) Bren, of Sioux Falls and Darrell (Bonnie) Bren of Rapid City. Jim is also survived by two sisters, Barbara Johnson of Franktown, Colo., Charlotte (John) Mitchem of Fort Worth Texas, three brothers Larry (Kay), Richard (Jane) and Keith (Bernie) Weaver, all of Denver, Colo. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in- law Tom Johnson. Visitation and the wake service were held on February 2, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt. Christian funeral Mass took place on February 3, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City. Burial followed at Mt. View/Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City.