James Sholes Weaver, Jr.

James S. Weaver Jr. beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather, transitioned from this life to his Heavenly home this week at the age of 85, in Naples, Florida; surrounded by his family.

Jim was born to James Sholes Weaver and Margaret Craig Weaver in New Jersey.  He grew up with his siblings Craig, Eleanor, and Staunton in Maplewood, New Jersey. Jim spent summers at Camp Dudley in Westport, New York where he was a camper and leader. Jim graduated from Columbia High School, and studied at Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Master of Business Administration. He was president of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

From 1955-1957, Jim was a 1st Lieutenant, Guided Missile Liaison Officer for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in Huntsville, Alabama. He married “the girl next door,” Marjorie Ware Holeton, in 1957 in Bellevue, Washington.

Jim worked for Procter & Gamble from 1959-1964. He then joined Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith in Baltimore, Maryland as a stock broker. In 1975, he moved his family to New Jersey and commuted on the train to New York City, the same Erie Lakawana train that his father rode to work, to create a selling skills training program. He was elected Vice President in 1977. The Weaver family then moved to Ohio where Jim was the Office Manager in Youngstown. The family then moved to Pennsylvania where Jim ran the Harrisburg office and opened three more offices. Jim and Marge returned to Baltimore in 1982. Jim retired from Merrill Lynch in 1994 after a career of 30 years. Jim and Marge settled in Naples, Florida in 1998.

From 1963-1970, Jim was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Towson YMCA in Maryland. He was involved in the planning and financing of a major gymnasium addition which greatly enhanced members’ experiences and increased family memberships. This facility was the winter training grounds for the Colts and Orioles teams for many years.

For 20 years, Jim was a representative of the Baltimore Rotary in recruiting boys for scholarships at Camp Dudley. This program made a huge impact on the lives of a number of boys. He was involved with Camp Dudley for 60 years as camper, leader, member, and president of the alumni board and the camp board, and as a host for local reunions.

Jim had a huge passion for opera, as passed on to him by his beloved mother. His favorites were Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” and Wagner’s Ring Cycle. He served on the boards of four opera/symphony companies.

In Naples, Jim was President of the St. Raphael Condominium Association Board from 2003-2005. He was also active in Moorings Presbyterian Church, Forum Club, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Circumnavigators’ Club, and the Naples Council on World Affairs.  

Jim received numerous awards for his community service including Camp Dudley’s “Man of the Year,” Baltimore Rotary Club’s “Paul Harris Fellow,” Baltimore Opera Company’s “Volunteer of the Year,” and Cornell University’s “Sphinx Head Senior Honorary Society.”

In his retirement, Jim continued to share his knowledge and held seminars entitled “Leadership Through People Skills” and “Understanding the Dow Jones Industrial Average.”

Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed skiing, tennis, platform tennis, ping pong and playing cards with his family, and worked diligently on his golf game. He had a radio that was rumored to have been able to receive only stations with baseball games and opera. He was a disciplined exerciser and could be seen walking early many mornings. Jim and Marge traveled extensively and especially enjoyed cruises.

Jim and Marge enjoyed golf, tennis and social activities as members of Baltimore CC, L’Hirondelle Club (Baltimore), Canoe Brook CC (Summit, NJ), Youngstown CC, Harrisburg CC, West Shore CC (Camp Hill, PA) and Royal Poinciana Golf Club (Naples).

An expression Jim often used is “Be a gracious receiver.” He was kind and generous with his family, and a philanthropist in the community.

Surviving family members include his wife of almost 60 years Marge; children Earle (Rebecca), Roberta (John) and Scott (Deborah); and grandchildren Jenna, Julie, Sarah, Michael, Thomas, Joseph, Allison and Peter.

“Dad” and “Grandpa” will be remembered by the math problems that were his good-night stories, and the sporting events that he attended and photographed with love.

A memorial service will be held at Bower Chapel, 140 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, FL on Saturday, August 5 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: Camp Dudley, 126 Camp Dudley Rd., Westport, NY 12993 or Moorings Park Foundation, 120 Moorings Park Dr., Naples, FL 34105.

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