James Francis Weber

Born: December 27, 1924 in Los Angeles, California

Died: May 24, 2009 in Durham, North Carolina

Jim Weber was a native of Los Angeles, CA before moving with his parents, older brother and younger sister to Manhattan Beach on Columbus Day of 1936 where he began attending Center Street School. In 1942 Jim was chosen to attend Boys State while attending Redondo Union High School prior to his graduation in 1943. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army in World War II. He participated in the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France and two weeks later was wounded and taken Prisoner of War. He received the following medals for military service: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War, European Campaign, WWII Victory, and Army Good Conduct. He was a member of American Legion Post #184, Redondo Beach, for over 65 years serving as Adjutant in 1951 and Post Commander in 1953.

He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Redondo Beach, where he married Mary Ann McGee of Hermosa Beach in 1948. After 27 years of marriage Mary Ann preceded him in death in 1976.

Jim, along with his father F.C. and brother Bob, operated Manhattan Bakery beginning in 1936 and Weber Bros. Bakery in Manhattan Beach from 1946 to 1954. Jim and Mary Ann built a home in Manhattan Beach in 1949 and became very active in American Martyrs Catholic Church, Manhattan Beach. He joined Queen of Martyrs Council #4567 of the Knights of Columbus in Manhattan Beach in 1954. He has served as Grand Knight, District Deputy, Faithful Navigator and is an Honorary Life Member of the Fourth Degree of this Catholic men's organization.

Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, Jim earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Woodbury Business College and completed Masters courses at USC. In 1955 Jim began working for the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and El Segundo in various positions beginning as a Payroll Clerk for the Manhattan Beach Finance Department and City Services Officer for the City of Hermosa Beach. He ultimately rose to the level of Finance Director and Assistant City Manager in Hermosa Beach and Director of Finance for the City of El Segundo. He retired in 1980, but continued for over 17 years to provide consulting services for numerous cities in Southern California such as Lomita, Santa Paula, Rolling Hills Estates, Lynwood, Palos Verdes Estates, Chino, and Carlsbad as Interim Finance Director. He also established the Finance Department for the cities of Malibu and Yucca Valley upon their incorporation.

Jim was an active member and president of numerous other organizations such as the Toastmaster's Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rotary Club, and California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. He also was very proud of the part he played in helping to organize the Centinela-South Bay Credit Union, which had its beginnings in a small office in the garage of his residence. Jim served on the credit union's Board of Directors for many years and was instrumental in the building of its present, two-story location on Artesia Blvd., in Redondo Beach.

In 1977 Jim married Beatrice Butters of Hermosa Beach. They built a home in Joshua Tree in 1989 and in 2001, to be closer to his daughter and son, Jim and Bea moved to Croasdaile Village, a retirement community, in Durham, NC.

Mr. Weber is predeceased by his parents Francis C. and Donna R. (Habermann) Weber; his first wife Mary Ann (McGee) Weber; and one brother, Robert J. Weber. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Beatrice, of Durham, NC; one daughter, Mary Frances Serraino and her husband, Michael, of Roanoke Rapids, NC; one son, James F. Weber, Jr. and his wife, Sharon Green, of Pittsburgh, PA. Also surviving are one sister, Mary Ellen Etherington, of Valencia, CA; one sister-in-law, Barbara Weber, of Chula Vista, CA; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Carmen McGee, of Torrance, CA; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as special cousins in Ohio.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 7:30pm on Friday, June 5, at American Martyrs Catholic Church, Manhattan Beach. Private graveside services will be at on Saturday, June 6, at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory may be made to Duke HomeCare & Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704, or to your favorite charity.