James Frederick Merideth

Born a Christmas gift to Harry and Sue on December 25,1944 Jim was a sweet bundle of joy to his parents. As a blond-haired green-eyed boy, he was adored by many. He had a sweet spirit and always a helping hand. He loved a good challenge when it came to fixing or building things. It had to be perfect and work correctly or he would redo it all. Jim also loved being with his big extended family, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. They visited as often as the family could get together. Going to Maryville, MO was always a memorable trip. Especially at Christmas! Having a birthday on this special holiday, he didn’t have many, if any, parties to celebrate just him. But all his aunts and uncles always made sure there were a few extra gifts under the tree for Jim. He never complained though, when asked about his birthday he told everyone he gets to share his birthday with Jesus. What better gift can you get than that?! He had a love for animals too, it didn’t matter if it was a dog or cat, whenever he was around one, they were always loved whether on his lap or on the floor. His favorite pet growing up was a dog named Wags. There was a time when Jim had been gone for a long while and when he came home, Wags was so ecstatic to see him, running around and wagging his tail. That’s how he got his name, he was always so happy to see Jim. His love for animals never went away throughout the years. Born and raised by two loving Christian parents who attended Rockwood Baptist Church, his love for Jesus grew as a young boy and when he was saved, he wanted to tell others about Jesus. There wasn’t a person who met him that didn’t know about Jesus by the time he was done talking to them. It was a love so big and mighty you couldn’t help but be drawn to him, wanting to hear more. Jim became a big brother at the age of 10. A baby sister. Growing up he and his sister Terrilyn had a close bond like no other siblings. It was his mission to take care of her, whatever she needed, he was there. He would tease her of course; he was ornery like that. And she would annoy him, because that is what sisters do best! But Jim was a generous guy too, so he shared whatever he had if he could. Whether it was orange slices or cookies. As an sister would, Terrilyn liked to swipe them from her big brother, but Jim never put up a fuss. He just let her do it. Their love for each other was incredible. As they continued to grow up, he continued to attend Rockwood until he was a young adult. After graduating Northeast High School in 1962, he attended Finley Engineering College in Kansas City. While trading rides to school with a friend, he met the love of his life, Sherry. She was waiting for her high school bus to pick her up on the street corner, and Jim struck up a conversation and a friendship blossomed into a forever love. During their growing relationship, Jim lost his mom to breast cancer. Before she died, she told Jim that he better not let go of Sherry, she was a special young lady. After both graduating from Hight School and College, that summer, at the tender age of 18 and 21 they married on August 13, 1966. In November of that same year, Jim was drafted into the Army during Vietnam. They moved to Fort Belvoir, Virginia for two years. Away from friends and family, The Lord provided many loving and kind people into their young lives. Jim impacted people everywhere he went and in everything he did. When they finally moved back home to Kansas City, they welcomed their first child, a baby boy named James Brian. Jim was a proud dad, and both him and Sherry loved being parents. Two years later they welcomed a sweet baby girl, Amie Louise, to the family. They doted on both and enjoyed watching them grow. God had different plans for little Amie, she went to be with Jesus at the young age of 2. At this time Jim and Sherry were members of First Baptist Church in Raytown. Even though they were heartbroken and devastated, they clung to the Lord and each other. God got them through a very dark and trying time and again, provided lots of loving friends to help them through the grief of losing a child. They weren’t done growing their family though, they welcomed another son, Bradly Allen, and another sweet girl Jenny Susanne. Jim and Sherry continued to attend church and were involved in activities that surrounded the ministry of sharing Jesus from as little as babies and preschoolers to adults within the church. As a busy husband and father, Jim worked as a professional civil engineer all through these years as his family grew and moved around the suburban areas. He eventually worked his way up the career ladder, and was Director of Public works for Independence, and then Lee’s Summit. He finished out his long career with the City of Kansas City and retired in 2013. Jim was a godly man, a wonderful husband, a loving brother, a great dad, a trusted uncle, and an even better grandpa! His three living children gave him 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Family was very important to him, and those grandbabies were his pride and joy, and he cherished all the times they gathered. He was a loyal friend and confidant and would do anything to help those in need. Jim was a devoted faithful follower and believer in Christ and raised his children along with Sherry and the Lord’s guidance, to be the same. He loved Jesus and proclaimed His name wherever he went. He had a special gift to touch anyone’s heart, mind or soul with any of his conversations. Jim is now with his Lord and Savior and reunited with his little girl.