James David Weatherby, known as Dave, son of Glen and Frances Weatherby was born October 27, 1926, in Neodesha, KS, and died April 27, 2015, at the age of 88, in Omaha, NE. Dave graduated from Neodesha High School in 1944, and earned his Education degree from Kansas State University in 1948. He also played basketball and was on K-State’s 1948 NCAA Tournament team which made it to the Final Four in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Dave went on to coach basketball at Butler Junior College in El Dorado, KS where he led his team to the National Championship in 1953.
On June 24, 1951, he married Lenore McCracken in Valley Falls, KS. They had two daughters, Mary Frances Suhr (Joel), Omaha, NE, and Julie Ann Higgins (Warren), Fremont, NE, and three grandchildren, Brad Higgins, Omaha, Michelle Higgins (Reece Kresser, fiance), New York City, and Jennifer Bingham (Aaron), Omaha.
Upon starting a family Dave changed careers and became an insurance adjuster. He and his family lived in Jefferson City, MO- Kansas City, KS- Mount Prospect, IL and Indianola, IA, where they lived for 41 years. Six years ago he and his wife moved to Omaha to be close to their daughters and their families.
Dave served in the U.S. Army from 1944 – 1945. His hobbies and interests included: tennis, swimming, diving, billiards, and watching all athletic events. He was an active member of the Indianola First United Methodist Church, volunteered at the Indianola National Hot Air Balloon Museum and was an active member at the Indianola Senior Center. He and his wife developed a love for traveling and were involved in Friendship Force during which they traveled worldwide and met friends from other cultures. Dave’s family was the most important aspect of his life and his favorite thing to do was to spend time with them.
Preceding him in death were his parents and older brother, Glenn.
Burial followed a graveside service on April 30, 2015 in Valley Falls KS. A Celebration of Life Service will be scheduled at the Indianola First United Methodist Church at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Indianola First United Methodist Church, Indianola National Hot Air Balloon Museum and Kansas State University.
