By Christian Potts
Longtime Transcript Sports Editor Jim Weeks died Saturday at his home in Grove at age 76. He had been battling Alzheimer's disease for several years.
Weeks was the Transcript's sports editor from 1964 to 1990 after a brief earlier stint as a part-time student worker at the newspaper. During his time as a writer he covered six University of Oklahoma football coaches, including all of Barry Switzer's years at the helm.
"He was an excellent writer, a valued employee and he did us a good job for a lot of years," said Jane Bryant, who was city editor and later managing editor during Weeks' time at The Transcript.
He was remembered fondly Sunday by former colleagues and friends.
"He was one of my best friends," said Norman resident Jan Burton, "an amazing man."
Burton worked as a proofreader in her first job at the paper in the late 1960s and said she learned a lot from Weeks.
"He was the most patient of people while I was trying to learn AP style for sports -- when to say All-America, when to say All-American," she said.
"He just was a great teacher, and we created a close bond of friendship."
Berry Tramel, sports columnist at the Oklahoman, began his writing career under Weeks at The Transcript.
"Jim hired me when I was 17 years old in the autumn of 1978 as a senior at Norman High," Tramel said. "He just hired me to do go-for work around the sports department and write up a few stories. Then I worked for him for 12 years."
The last eight of those, Tramel was Weeks' assistant sports editor, getting an up-close daily look at the man's talent.
After 13 years with The Transcript, Tramel has been with the Oklahoman's sports staff since 1991. He last saw Weeks about three years ago during an OU football roundtable at his home, and also had visited Weeks in Grove before that.
He said he'll always have a special place for Weeks in his heart.
"I never could repay him for what he did for me, giving me a chance and getting me started in the business," Tramel said. "He taught me all kinds of things about writing and editing and everything else. He was a fabulous man to work for."
Funeral services for Weeks are pending with Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home of Grove. An employee with the funeral home said Sunday night the family was attempting to set up a 2:30 p.m. service Nov. 30 but that still was not definite, pending the availability of the church the family is hoping to use.
"He had such a wonderful wit, such a gifted way of writing," Burton said. "He was just one of the best people that has ever been in this town and a class act."
Christian Potts 366-3544 cpotts@normantranscript.com
