Funeral services for James Howard Weaver, 79, of Corinth, are set for 11 AM, Friday, April 17th at the Strickland Church of Christ with burial in the Corinth National Cemetery with full military honors immediately following. Visitation will be at Magnolia Funeral Home from 5 to 8 PM, Thursday, April 16th. Colonel Weaver died Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. He attended Strickland Church of Christ and was a retired United States Army Offficer. Colonel James (Jim) Weaver, United States Army (Retired), had served in the military Armed Forces for over 26 years. He was living in Corinth within the Farmington Township with his wife of over 59 years, Beulah Faye (Channell) Weaver who regularly assisted him in his numerous veteran activities. Colonel Weaver served as a helicopter pilot during his military career. He served three separate one year tours in Vietnam flying over 1200 missions in UH-1 Huey’s and AH-IG Cobra gunships. He was awarded numerous medals for heroism in Vietnam which included the Purple Heart for wounds received when his helicopter was shot down in Vietnam. Colonel Weaver has earned numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, Bronze Star with V Device and Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism, Purple Heart for being combat wounded, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with twenty three awards for flying over 1200 combat missions, Army Commendation Medal for heroism with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, Vietnam Service Medal with 13 Battle Engagements, and numerous other medals and commendations for service to his country. Colonel Weaver served as an Honor and Color Guard in Post 6 of the American Legion located here in Corinth. He was the Commander of Chapter 813, Military Order of the Purple Heart also located in Corinth. Additionally, he served as the Mississippi State Department Service Officer and State Judge Advocate for the Order the Purple Heart. He was a “Soldiers Soldier” and would assist any veteran in need of services by the Veterans Administration or any other government organizations / entities to ensure the veterans’ needs were met. He never turned away a veteran, always keeping the veterans needs above his own. Colonel Weaver was born in Steele, Missouri on July 12, 1935 to Frank James Weaver (deceased) and Bertha (Hastings) Weaver (deceased). In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Howard Keith Weaver and his wife, Yolanda “Maggi” Weaver of Lincoln, California; a daughter, Karen Suzette Weaver of Corinth, Mississippi; two grandchildren, James Todd Weaver and his wife, Amy Nicole Weaver of Fair Oaks, California; Jennifer Lynn Weaver of San Francisco, California; and two great grandchildren, Dade Ethan Weaver and Ailie Brin Weaver, both of Fair Oaks, California. He is also survived by a sister, Marianna Marquie of Ozark, Missouri and a brother, Teddy Lee Weaver of Pueblo, Mexico along with numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his older brother, Jesse Oscar Weaver. Minister Brad Dillingham will officiate assisted by Minister Steve Campbell of Strickland Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Purple Hearts Monument Fund and Pineville Childrens Home would be appreciated. Online condolences can be left at www.magnoliafuneralhome.net
