John Hugh Weatherly

Dateline:  Shelby, North Carolina

John Weatherly, 86, of Kings Mountain passed away on January 22, 2011.

Mr. Weatherly was born on April 4, 1924, to Rufus E. and Rose Riley Weatherly in McColl, SC.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Willette Hipp Weatherly and his daughter Kim Weatherly Kinnard. He is survived by two sons, Keith wife Melissa of Apex, NC and Karl wife Jinny of Sun Valley, Idaho.  He is also survived by sisters Sarah and brother-in-law John Fletcher of Laurinburg and Betty and brother-in-law Leon of Bamburg, SC, grandchildren Leigh Anne Weatherly Spicer of Raleigh, Hunter Weatherly of Portland  and Hayley Kinard of Pembroke, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Weatherly served as a Marine fighter pilot in the South Pacific during WW II and flying off the deck of the carrier USS Coral Sea during the Korean War.  He was discharged with the rank of Major. 

Mr. Weatherly attended Clemson University and was graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in forestry.  He was employed by Catawba Timber Company, a subsidiary of Bowater Newsprint Company.  During his career he served as President of the NC Forestry Association.

Prior to moving to Kings Mountain, he lived for a number of years in Newton and was active in many local civic organizations.  He was elected in 1970 to the Catawba County Board of Commissioners.  After moving to Cleveland County, he was elected to the NC House of Representatives in 1988 and represented Cleveland, Rutherford and Polk Counties for 10 years in the state legislature.  Governor James Martin presented Mr. Weatherly with North Carolina’s highest award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Mr. Weatherly was active in many Cleveland County organizations.  He was a dedicated member of Shelby Presbyterian Church and was a member of the College of Elders.  He was a long time member of Rotary International in Newton and Shelby and was a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor Rotary can bestow. 

Mr. Weatherly was an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver for his service, the highest award of Scouting.

A memorial service will be held at Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 East Graham Street, Shelby on Saturday, January 29, at 2 PM with Dr. Luke Harkey presiding.  The family will receive friends immediately after the service at the church fellowship hall.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in his name to the church building fund.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Weatherly.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com