Funeral service for Capt. James Weems (ret), age 88, of Sylacauga, will be Monday, March 22, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Curtis and Son North Chapel, with the Rev. Bill Dean presiding. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
Capt. Weems died Thursday, March 18, 2010, at Sumerplace in Talladega.
Capt. Weems was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept. 9, 1921, and grew up in Gadsden. He attended the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He spent 37 years at sea and received a special commendation from the U.S. secretary of the navy for the outstanding performance of he and his ship’s crew in aiding in the evacuation of South Vietnam at the close of the war.
Capt. Weems also served on the Stewartville Water Board for six years and was a member of the Zamora Temple.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Sylacauga.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Weems and Carrie Weems; his sister, Rosa Weems Paige; and brothers, Leonard Weems, George Weems and Theodore Weems.
He is survived by his wife of more than 63 years, Edith Ruth Cox Weems of Sylacauga; a son, Dr. James Weems Jr. of Talladega; two daughters, Michele Weems Truitt (Jasckson) and Patricia Carolyn Weems Gourdouras (Lee) of Bay Minette; one brother, Albert Weems of Colorado; grandchildren, Pamela Truitt Saunier (Edward), Jonathan Truitt (Marena), Leon Gourdouras, James Gourdouras, Patricia Carolyn Gourdouras Hood (Jacob); and great-grandchildren, Shelby Saunier, Gracie Saunier, Sophie Saunier and Wesley Hood.
Pallbearers will be Leon Gourdouras, James Gourdouras, Jonathan Truitt, Edward Saunier, Greg Street, John (Chip) Street Jr. and Rodger Adams.
Visitation was Sunday, March 21, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Curtis and Son North Chapel in Sylacauga.
Curtis and Son Funeral Home directed the Service.
Condolences may be left at curtisandsonfh.com.