James Thomas DeWeese

WEAVERVILLE-James Thomas DeWeese, age 90, of 37 Mountain Meadow Circle, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 29, 2013. Mr. DeWeese was born June 12, 1922, in Buncombe County where he had lived all of his life. He graduated valedictorian from Woodfin High School at the age of 15 and graduated from Cecil's and Blanton's Business College. A veteran of the US Army, he served in the Intelligence Headquarters under General Douglas McArthur in Brisbane, Australia, during World War II. After the war he became a community servant. He was a charter member of Elkwood United Methodist Church where he also taught Sunday School, served as deacon, treasurer, and sang in the choir. Mr. DeWeese was a charter member of the Erwin District Lions Club and recently received an Honorary Member award. He worked 38 years for Buncombe County where he helped to computerize and automate the tax system. He provided Meals on Wheels services for eight years in Buncombe County. He loved learning about the world through reading and writing. James was a big fan of spectator sports, big band/classical music, and classic Hollywood movies. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and servant of God. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Lee and Gipsie Aline DeBord DeWeese; sister, Marie DeWeese Buckner; and son-in-law, Vernon Bigsby. Surviving are his wife of almost 50 years, Mary Frances Silver DeWeese; daughters, Stephanie Bigsby of Weaverville, Marlene Wolfe and husband Rick of Houston, Texas, Jan LePore and husband Steven of Weaverville, Kimberly Tadlock and husband Bradley of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jamie Bigsby, Jennifer Hill and husband Travis, Ricky Wolfe, Kaitlyn Tadlock, William Tadlock; and special cousin, Keith DeWeese. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2013, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Rev. Enoch G. Ball and Rev. Craig Allen officiating. Burial will follow at West Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at West Funeral Home. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to: Elkwood United Methodist Church, PO Box 8248, Asheville, NC 28814; or Erwin District Lions Club, 188 Erwin Hills Rd., Asheville, NC 28806. The family would like to thank Mr. DeWeese's caregivers, Suzanne Clark, Angela Worley, Kathie Williams, Keith Grigg, and special thanks to CarePartners Hospice. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. DeWeese's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.