James V. Weast (Jim), 78, of Easley, SC, peacefully passed away on February 22nd after a long series of health issues. Born in Bar Harbor, Maine to Dr. John J. and Ruth Bean Weast, Jim was known for his great love of family, animals and his ability to never meet a stranger. If he was your friend, he was your friend through thick and thin. Oh, and that laugh, it was infectious he could make you laugh until your sides hurt.

After he graduated high school, Jim attended Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine. He went on to spend over 30 years working at Maine Yankee in Wiscasset, Maine. During this time, he formed lifelong friendships that became his second family. After the plant decommissioning, Jim picked up roots with his wife and replanted in South Carolina working for Duke Power. His new co-workers quickly learned that this “Maine Yankee” came to them missing the ability to pronounce the letter “R”. Although they teased, he loved it, and formed friendships that he treasured.

Jim was lucky enough to have found the love of his life Margaret Marcous and they married in 1968. Their love was one that few people have the good fortune to have; they were soul mates and best friends, and he was Peggy’s whole world and vice versa. They went on to have two children Jennifer Ann and James Vernon. Together they lived a full and rich life, a good life filled with lovely memories of family trips, friends, and time spent just the two of them. They spent 55 years enjoying each other’s company, lifting each other up in bad as well as the good times.

Jim was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive father and husband. He always put his family first. His knowledge and guidance were the foundation of his family. He led by example and taught his children the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated, living with integrity, and standing for what was right even if it wasn’t easy. He learned his sense of giving back to the community from his father and followed in his footsteps by being a member of the Dresden Masonic Lodge No. 103 and the Kora Shriners Temple, both for over 50 years.

Jim was an avid golfer; he could often be found traveling around the state with his wife and friends chasing the elusive perfect score. He spent most of his retirement visiting various Civil War Battle sites with the Appomattox Court House being his favorite historical park. Jim loved to putter around the house working on his yard and always had some project he was working on. If he wasn’t puttering or traveling you could find him reading one of his many Tom Clancy books, which he loved.

Jim was predeceased by his parents John and Ruth, his son James Jr., numerous beloved pets; Maple, Lucy, Cleo, Sasha, Martha, and his grand-cats Hobbes and Mumford. He leaves behind his wife, Peggy, and his daughter Jennifer both of Easley, SC, and his sister Susanne Weast Wheat of Yarmouth, Maine.