Benjamin Johnson Weaver Jr.

If you never met Ben Weaver before August 12, 2022, you missed on one of life’s greatest gifts. He was known by so many names—a man that would never lie to you, a gentleman, a friend that will always be there, a kind man, a great man, a great husband and father/grandfather, and in legal circles by both attorneys and judges at all levels he was known as one of the best legal minds in Florida. A judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeals once said, “We are so happy to see this is being handled by Ben Weaver because we know it will be done right.” Ben and Dianne were married shortly after graduating from law school and never looked back. Ben used to say that as a team they were invincible no matter what life brought their way.

Ben had a great legal mind from the beginning. While still in law school he was appointed to be a researcher and a rough draft opinions writer to the Indiana Court of Appeals. One of the opinions that he rough drafted is still known as, the “go to” law” on those issues in Indiana.

He never walked away from a friend or a client even if it meant personal sacrifice.

He was active in organizations in which members were by invitation only and the criteria was to be the best in law and integrity. He founded the first Federal Bar Association in Fort Lauderdale at the request of the Chief Judge of the North Division of the Federal trial Court in South Florida. He was a founder and President of the Broward County Florida American Board of Trial Advocates. He was a founder and President of the Florida American Board of Trial Advocates. He was a founder and President of the Inns of Court in Broward County and did such at the request of a Chief Judge of the Trial Court. The Inns of Court are devoted to quality and integrity in the legal profession.

He went on to be a founder and President of the Inns of Court for the First District Court of Appeals, the Court that handles many or most of the issues that deal with the Constitution of the State of Florida. He did this again at the request of one of the First District Judges. Approximately four years ago, he was asked to serve as a Trustee for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to the American Inns of Court. This appellant court stands only one level lower then the United State Supreme Court. As a Trustee he and Dianne attended dinner in the Supreme Court every year at the Celebration of Excellence which was hosted by a Supreme Court Justice. Ben loved and honored the law and had other ways of expanding his world. He loved art, music, history, horse back riding, motorcycle riding but all paled when compared to his love and devotion to his family.

According to his children—

Jay Weaver (44, Fort Lauderdale, FL) “My Dad was the last true gentlemen. He saw the beauty in life and shared it with us every day. He has shaped me in to the man I am today and I am so happy that my Children, Emma, 15 and Max 11 will be able to share that with me.”

Jenny Weaver (43, St. Augustine, FL) “My Dad taught me many things. The most beautiful lesson he taught me was about love; to love with your whole heart, and to be open to love as it comes in many forms. He always made a point to pull me in and tell me how “beautiful” he thought mine and Shannon’s, 42, love is and he was so happy. I will remember those beautiful moments shared between us forever.”

Scott Weaver (40, Hampden, ME) “Dad was both my admired role model and my champion hero. My wife, Kelly, 39, and I strive to live our lives in a way he would be proud of everyday. I am so happy that ‘Pard’ and our daughter Hannah, 2, developed a strong and special bond.

Ben and Dianne adopted four children the youngest of which was Elizabeth who they lost at 29. Ben also welcomed Margie Riggin (Parsons, KS), a child of Dianne into the family. Ben and Dianne also opened their home and family to Linda Powell who they loved greatly. In addition to the above mentioned loved people he leaves his grandchildren Emma, Max, Hannah, and Bailey (Pittsburgh, KS), his great grandson Weston Cares; his sister Beverly Weaver Mussetter (Indianapolis, IN), his daughter in law Shannon Ford Weaver (Jenny), his daughter in law Kelly O’Brien Weaver (Scott) and many many cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved so much.

Ben was my life, my everything. I didn’t see a love story, I didn’t hear a love story, I didn’t read a love story, I lived a love story. There has never been a man so admired and loved as Ben and there never has been a man that deserved both as much. Good bye my love until we are together again, Dianne.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at 3 O’Clock PM. Located at Mandarin Community Club located at 12447 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville FL 32223.

Following the celebration there will be reception held at the home of Ben’s best friend Dr. Terry Kilgore and wife Diane Kilgore who Ben has admired, trusted and loved for over 45 years. Celebration details will be given at the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the WEAVER family.