James Gilbert Weatherholt, 76, of Newburgh, IN, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Father’s Day, surrounded by family.
James, also known as “Jim” or “Buddy” was born on October 29, 1949 to Gilbert and Elizabeth Weatherholt at his family home in Cloverport, Kentucky. He attended St. Rose school and church where he received his First Holy Communion and Sacrament of Confirmation. While growing up, he enjoyed all the family horses with his siblings, especially his Tennessee Walker horse named Snow. After graduating from St. Romuald Catholic School in 1967, he went on to obtain a Certificate of Completion from United Electronics Institute in Louisville, KY in 1969.
Buddy worked as an Electrical Engineer for Procter & Gamble for 25 years, traveling to locations such as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and more. He then worked for Frucon Industrial Services in Cape Girardeau, MO. While living there, he also opened a wine store called, In the Wine Cellar, as he was a wine connoisseur and enjoyed interactions with the community and all the friends he made over the years.
In 2003, he moved to Slidell, LA to continue his work with Frucon until his retirement in 2013, in which he returned to Cape Girardeau, MO. Buddy was a dedicated employee and very proud of his work.
Buddy had many nicknames including “Turbo” for his love of Volkswagen and Corvettes, and the “Dog Whisperer” due to his beloved dog Wendy. He even loved dogsitting his granddogs, Sascha, Leyna, and Karina. He was very proud of all his grandchildren, especially supporting his grandson Rhett who has Down Syndrome and granddaughter Margaret who continued his deep passion for horses.
He is survived by his four children: Eric Weatherholt (Carly) of Fairborn, OH, Kelly Florian (George) of Newburgh, IN, Lee Ann Flener (Garet) of Bowling Green, KY, Paul David Stuart (Lauren) of St Louis, MO. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Blake Weatherholt, Kenneth Florian, Amanda Kirn, Joe Florian, Elizabeth Seabaugh, Margaret Florian, Warren Flener, Rhett Flener, Brooks Flener, Henry Stuart, and two great-grandchildren, Rowan and Eowyn Kirn. He will be deeply missed by his siblings: Marie Rose, Bill Weatherholt (Candy), Shirley Emery (Pete), Aggie Weatherholt and Tommy Weatherholt (Theresa) and his 12 nieces and nephews, 28 great nieces and nephews. He leaves behind Beverly Shelton, his friend and former spouse of 24 years.
Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-laws Jerry Rose and Don Alexander, and his nephew Todd Newby.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. Romuald Catholic Church in Hardinsburg KY to celebrate Buddy’s life on July 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
Leave Your Condolence