James Benjamin “Jim” Weatherby
Growing up on a farm on the ridge above Juliaetta in north Idaho, Jim knew early in his life that he did not want to be a dry wheat farmer like his dad and grandpa. Good grades and a fascination with politics turned out to be his way off the farm. As a seven-year-old, Jim listened on the radio to the national Presidential conventions, convinced he knew who would be the winner. In the 8th grade he challenged the teacher on her understanding of national politics and was so obnoxious she turned over the class to him; this was a story he always told with pride and humor.
Jim earned his undergraduate degree from Northwest Nazarene University where he later taught political science for several years. The Masters and PhD were earned at the University of Idaho; he was a fully invested Idaho native. His career took him from the Association of Idaho Cities, first as a lobbyist then eventually as the executive director, to Boise State University, where he was chairman of the public policy and administration department.
Jim became known as the goto guy for his unbiased analysis of local and state politics. He volunteered his expertise for 27 years at KTVB and 16 years at IPBS, concurrently. He was interviewed extensively over the years by Idaho’s major newspapers and radio stations.
He offered his insights to Mark Shields of PBS, Tom Brokaw of NBC, and Dana Bash of CNN among others. Jim particularly enjoyed his discussion with Bob Woodward, who as a true journalist, asked more questions than he answered. Jim also served on numerous boards of directors of both state and national prominence.
His family will miss him every day: his wife, Dana Lynn, his daughter Maran and son-in-law Brandon O’Meara, his son John and daughter-in-law Shelley (Mickelson) and his grandchildren Benjamin, Ellen and Jonathan. The family wants to extend their heartfelt thanks to the excellent caregivers at Barber Station Memory Care and to the support and attention of Keystone Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the James B. and Dana L. Weatherby Scholarship at Boise State. A public service will be held on Tuesday, March 12th at 4:00 p.m. at the Boise State Alumni Center, 1173 University Dr. Boise, ID 83706.