James Monroe Weddel

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, James Monroe Weddel went to be with his Lord and Savior, after a long, fruitful life, surrounded by his loved ones. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

James was born February 22, 1938 in Kenefick, Oklahoma to Jerry and Etheline Weddel. He grew up in Texas and New Mexico, moving around a lot due to his father’s work. James attended Grapevine High School for a short time before attending Memphis High School in west Texas and graduating in 1958 from Lovington High School in New Mexico.

After high school graduation, James returned to Grapevine where he met his future wife of 65 years, Margaret Horak, or Margarite as she was often known. They met at the Palace Theater in Grapevine. James and his friend would sit behind Margaret and her best friend Mattie Lou Baze, throwing popcorn at them.

After much teasing and flirting, Margaret finally agreed to a date and eventually they were married on April 15, 1961 at St. Francis Catholic Church, the couple’s Parish to this day. The couple were married by the newly appointed priest at St. Francis, Father B. They were the first couple he married at St. Francis. After their wedding, the couple lived in Dallas for a few years and in 1967 built their family home in Southlake and have never moved.

James loved the great outdoors and spent a lot of time hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. James bought a ski boat that he, Margaret and their friends would spend many weekends on the lake. James also introduced motorcycles to Margaret and they would ride motorcycles along the trails of Grapevine Lake with friends. James and Margaret also enjoyed vacations with family and friends and dancing on Friday nights for over 35 years.

James and Margaret have three children Sheila, Linda and Jason. James coached many seasons of softball for Sheila and Linda and loved playing dominos with his daughters. He was a Boy Scout leader for Jason and enjoyed going on hunting trips with his son. James passed along his love for the outdoors to his children and his grandchildren. The grandchildren were raised to hike, camp, boat, fish and shoot. The grandkids enjoyed hiking with Papa in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge on the annual campout and the trips as a family to Broken Bow and Beaver’s Bend.

The grandchildren all have great memories of Papa. They remember Papa picking them up to spend the night and driving them around in his truck, especially the old green truck. Memories of going out to eat with Mimi and Papa and many weekend sleepovers. Great memories of driving go-karts, Barbie Jeeps and 4-wheelers in the backyard. Papa fixed them many times and always had them in perfect working order. The grandkids loved listening to Papa’s stories, especially those of him playing football in high school and all the crazy things he and his friends would do for fun.

James built a workshop at home and was always tinkering, fixing things that Mimi broke and building stuff, from house add-ons to whatever hobbies needed upgrades - gun racks, hunting blinds, ATV and boats, passing these passions on to his grandsons. He created many memories having fun outside and left a passion for love for the outdoors with many who spent time with the family.

James worked for Mosher Steel Company in Dallas for many years then joined LTV in Grand Prairie and later retired from Baker Metal in Dallas. The grandchildren always remember the stories of Papa working on “top secret” military projects and his attention to details.

James was preceded in death by his mother and father Etheline and Jerry and his sisters Sue and Sylvia. James is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret, his three children Sheila and husband Karl, Linda and husband Chris and Jason, along with 9 grandchildren John, Marie, Brandon, Lauren, Dylan, Blake, Campbell, Charlie and Henley.