James "J.B." B. Weaver, Jr.

Dr. James Bode "JB" Weaver Jr., 96, of Athens, passed away August 27th, 2022. Born January 28th, 1926 “J.B.” was the son of the late James Bode Weaver, Sr. and Lula Hilley Weaver of Hartwell, Georgia.  After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy from the University of Georgia, J.B. earned a PhD in Agronomy-Genetics from North Carolina State University in 1955. He was preceded in death by loving wife of 65 years, Betty Dove Weaver, son, James Bode Weaver, III., granddaughter, Susan Elizabeth Weaver, brothers, William, Frank, Joe, Thomas and Clinton Weaver, and sister Mozelle Barnett Vickery. He is survived by daughter in law, Stephanie Sargent Weaver, sister, Josephine Banister, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Geoffrey, Cristopher, Amanda, James B. Weaver, IV., Sylvia, Madelyn, Perry, and Alden Weaver.

J.B. began working at Dekalb Genetics before starting his career with The University of Georgia. He conducted research in cotton genetics, specifically developing male sterile cotton lines which contributed to the cotton industry in India and other countries. In addition to being a founder of The Classic City Lion’s Club, J.B. was the last living charter member of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the second World War, in the European theater, being drafted in 1945 at the later end of the conflict. Among his many gifts was his great sense of humor. He joked that when the enemy intercepted the big news that he’d been drafted, it was the final straw, they had to surrender.

He helped build and design the home he spent most of his life in on Hardin Drive in the Five Points neighborhood. Later, after many decades spent here as a kind father, husband, and neighbor he branched out into real estate. “Wheelin’ and dealin’,” as he put it, would be one of his biggest preoccupations. Although he loved making money, the people he met along the way became the treasure he truly cherished. All while never being seen without his trademark silver belly Stetson hat.

Many of J.B.’s deeper interests began later in life, and he remained very active after his retirement from The University of Georgia. As he would say, he never really felt very retired. Being a big Georgia Bulldogs fan, he dedicated time serving at Stegeman Coliseum as an usher for the both basketball and gymnastics. A shared enthusiasm with his wife for genealogy brought them to visit many cemeteries, town halls, and family reunions in search of distant relatives. Their time together would also be spent traveling to Lion’s Club International conventions in cities all across the world. Traveling to these events, along with numerous missions to aid local researchers in Southeast Asia, would create some of his fondest memories and best stories. He deeply cared and loved for his family, friends, and communities, and was returned in kind.

A memorial service will be held at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church on September 2nd, 2022 at 11:00 A.M with officiating by Dr. Nathan Byrd and Rev. Tom Eggleston. A visitation for family and friends will precede the service beginning at 10:00 A.M with arrangements from Lord & Stephens, West. Internment will take place at Oconee Memorial Park at 2:00 P.M. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in J.B.'s honor to: The Classic City Lion’s Club P.O. Box 484 Winterville, GA 30683, Milledge Avenue Baptist Church, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com