James Weber Obituary (1933 – 2021) – Everett, WA

We are truly heartbroken to say that our father, James Rueben Weber, passed away on March 18, 2021 at Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington. He was born on June 24th in Friday Harbor, Washington. 1933 to Reuben and Gladys Weber. He grew up in Friday Harbor and Granite Falls Washington and later lived in Everett and Marysville Washington in his adult years.

He attended Granite Falls High School and while there was an outstanding athlete. He was a great soccer player who played the fullback for the Tigers. He was the captain of the Varsity Football Team, was voted an Inspirational Player, and was selected as a member of the Tri-County First Team. It was called Granite Falls “Backfield Ace”. He also helped lead the Granite Falls Varsity Basketball team to an 11-1 season record and played on the Varsity Baseball team.

Father later brought his talents to Everett Junior College after high school, playing soccer, basketball, and athletics. He was the starting defender for the Trojan Football team and led them to a great season. He then played football for Eastern Washington University and the University of Washington as a defender. He later joined the Navy and served from 1953 until his honorable discharge in 1957, and served in the Navy Reserve until 1961.

He worked at the Boeing Co., the Everett Library and then at the Weyerhaeuser Company until he retired.

He loved cutting firewood, enjoyed wood carving, sports, automobiles, worked on engines, and helped build a Kit Fox airplane with dear friend Phil Post. The two enjoyed many flights together. Mom and Dad had a lot of great times with Phil and Leola Post at various get-togethers and holidays.

Papa was a “man of man”. He was John Wayne x 10 to us and was loved by everyone who knew him. He was extremely strong, a great athlete, and was always the center of love and life with any family or friends who would gather, vacation, or celebrate. He really was one of the most amazing men you would ever meet. That feeling was repeated over and over by all of our friends, who often complimented Dad’s love and loyalty to our family. One said, “I just want to grow up to be your father.”

The family was always first for dad and mom. They took us on many great vacations that brought so many great family memories to all of us, and started many family traditions that we still carry on with all of our families today, such as going to Lake Chelan 63 years in a row and counting. We had many great memories of those trips with Rich and Judy Boyden (and family) and with many others there.

Dad loved the ocean too, and we went on many trips along the Washington and Oregon coasts and to the San Juan Islands. We went to this small town on a trip to the sea and John Wayne made the movie “McQ”. Mom yelled “Oh my god Jim, it’s John Wayne!”. Needless to say, Dad and we met John Wayne, who was really bigger than life. We took pictures with the legend, mom took a thousand pictures, got autographs and gave us a memory we will never forget.

Father always told us “family is everything”. He really lived his life for us and was an amazing example that we all carried on with our families. He was the richest man we ever knew in so many ways and made all of our worlds the best and richest because he is and was.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 66 years, Elsa, his children Sally (Lonnie), Jim (Lynn) and Julie (John), his grandchildren of whom he has always been so proud of Chase, Alexa, Nick, Karl and Sevi. his brother Gary (Thelma) Weber, his brother-in-law Larry (Sidra) Egge and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.

He enjoyed his time at all of his grandchildren’s soccer, basketball, soccer, and hockey games from the youth leagues, middle and high school, and beyond.

A celebration of Papa’s life will take place at a later date. In his honor, monuments to papa can be directed to the Make A Wish Foundation, the Children’s Hospital, or the American Heart Association.

There is a huge hole in our family that can never be replaced. He was our everything …

June 24, 1933 – March 18, 2021

Published in The Herald (Everett) April 18-19, 2021.