Former Pawhuska mayor, long-time pharmacy owner Jim Weigant dies

James Michael Weigant, Sr., one day shy of age 62, died in his home of a sudden heart attack on Jan. 31, 2015.

James, best known by all as “Jim,” was born in Portland, Oregon on Feb. 1, 1953 to Margaret and Kas Weigant. He spent his youngest years in northern California and moved to Tulsa, Okla. in the 6th grade. He graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in 1971. He attended the University of Tulsa for one year and then continued the rest of his college education at the University of Oklahoma. This is where he met his wife of 40 years, Ellen Fronkier Weigant. Both Jim and Ellen finished and graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s College of Pharmacy in 1976.

Jim and Ellen eventually settled in Pawhuska and opened Weigants’ Pharmacy on Oct. 1, 1979. Jim embraced Pawhuska as his home town where he was active in his parish of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Boy Scout troop 33, and the Pawhuska City Council where he was mayor for many years. Jim was a proud Benedictine Oblate and liked to take retreats to St. Gregory’s Abbey because his Catholic faith was very important to him.

Above all, Jim was a loving father to his six children and the best Grandpa Jim to his multiple grandchildren. Jim was an avid Neil Young fan, loved Dr. Who, and was known around town for riding his scooter to work unless cold or rain stopped him. He was dedicated to his family and work and will be missed by all that knew him.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father, Margaret and Kas Weigant.

He leaves behind his wife, Ellen; son James Jr. and wife Katie Weigant of Cushing, Okla.; daughter Elizabeth Haney of Ponca City, Okla.; son Stephen and wife Morgan of Tulsa; and daughter Julia, son Timothy, and son Patrick Weigant of Norman, Okla. He leaves behind his grandchildren, Michael and Julian Weigant, Tommy, Austin, Brett, Jacob, Hannah, and Titus Haney, and Frantz Weigant. Jim also leaves behind a brother Kas Weigant of Portland, sister and brother-in-law Sheila and Joel Busby of The Woodlands, Texas, and brother and sister-in-law Hugh and Libby Weigant of Tulsa. He also leaves behind his nephews and nieces, Connell and Sarah Busby, Ross Busby and Adam, Charity, Hannah, and Margaret Weigant.

Services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pawhuska and officiated by Father Chris Daigle. The Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Memorial contributions are welcome at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pawhuska, or St. Gregory’s Abbey of Shawnee, Okla.