Civic leader Jim Weigant dies

Funeral services were scheduled Wednesday for Jim Weigant, a longtime community leader who passed away Saturday — one day before he would have celebrated his 62nd birthday.

Weigant, a former Pawhuska mayor and city council member, died suddenly at his home from an apparent heart attack.

James Michael Weigant, Sr. — best known to all as Jim — was born Feb. 1, 1953, in Portland, Ore., and spent his younger years in northern California before moving to Tulsa when he was in the sixth grade. Weigant graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in 1971 and attended the University of Tulsa for a year prior to continuing his education at the University of Oklahoma.

While attending OU, Weigant met Ellen Fronkier, to whom he was married for the past 40 years. Jim and Ellen Weigant both graduated in 1976 from the University of Oklahoma’s College of Pharmacy. The Weigants eventually settled in Pawhuska, where they opened Weigants’ Pharmacy on Oct. 1, 1979.

Embracing Pawhuska as his home town, Weigant was actively involved with local Boy Scout Troop 33 and in the parish at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. As his Catholic faith was very important to him, he was a proud Benedictine Oblate who liked taking retreats to St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee.

Weigant was a member of the Pawhuska City Council for many years and he served several terms as mayor. Around town, he became known around town for riding his scooter to work (unless the cold or rain stopped him). Also, he was an avid Neil Young fan who also loved the science fiction TV series “Dr. Who.”

A line from a Neil Young song was included at the end of his obituary, “Don’t cry my sweet love, you won’t really be alone.”

Above all else, Weigant was a loving father to his six children and the best “Grandpa Jim” he could possibly have been for his multiple grandchildren. He was dedicated to his family and his work — and he will be missed by all who knew him.

See the full obituary inside today’s edition.

Services at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pawhuska were to be officiated by Father Chris Daigle. The Rosary was held Tuesday evening. The funeral Mass was to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4.

McCartney’s Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions are being welcomed at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, Okla.