James Meredith

1932 - 2022

LIMA -- James "Jim" Edwin Meredith, 90, passed away at 6:09 am, December 22, 2022 at Lima Memorial Health System.

He was born June 9, 1932 in Lima to Harold J. and Irene Alice (Good) Meredith who preceded him in death. On June 20, 1954 he married Janice "Jan" C. Mack who survives in Lima.

Jim and Jan met in Chemistry class at Lima Central in their senior year. They enjoyed their next 73 years together. Jim and Jan vacationed with their family in Maine in 1972 and decided to eventually make it their second home, where many wonderful memories were made with family and friends. Jim enjoyed music, spending time outside gardening, a good bagel, and most of all, golf. He celebrated his 90th birthday in Idaho playing golf with those he loved dearly. Later this past October, he even managed a birdie while playing with his 2 favorite partners, Bob and Sam.

Jim was a United States Air Force Captain and navigational instructor. After finishing law school at Ohio Northern University, he joined the law firm of Meredith, Meredith, Tait, and Basinger, which is now Cory, Meredith, Witter and Smith LPA. He had the privilege of practicing law alongside his father, uncle, 1st cousin and son, eventually retiring at the age of 72. He was a life member of the Allen County Bar Association and a Life Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation, and served on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Bar Title Company, the Ohio Bar Liability Company and the Ohio State Bar Foundation. Jim was the recipient of the Award of Merit from the Ohio Legal Center Institute.

Jim was past President of Bradfield Community Center and the President of the Allen County Veterans Civic and Convention Center board from its inception in 1983 until 1998. He was a Board Member and officer of the Lima Community Foundation and the Allen County Airport Authority. He was past chair of the Lima Memorial Hospital Foundation and was still serving on its board until his death. Jim officiated high school football for 20 years and swimming for 13 years. For his community work, Jim was awarded the Outstanding Young Man of Lima, the Ohio Northern University Outstanding Alumni Award, the Sertoman of the Year and the Lima Elementary Schools Outstanding Layman Award. He was a proud Boy Scout, attended the 1947 World Jamboree in France, and received the Eagle Scout award. He continued his involvement by serving as President of Shawnee Council Boy Scouts of America and was a Silver Beaver Award recipient.

Jim was a life-long member of Market Street Presbyterian Church where he was an Ordained Elder, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent and Trustee of the Foundation. He was also a member of Shawnee Country Club and enjoyed playing with the "younger" guys, who took great care of him. Jim stayed sharp and maintained his sense of humor until the very end. He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Other survivors include a son, Robert "Bob" Meredith and his favorite daughter-in-law, Laura, of Lima; and his pal and Grandson, Samuel "Sam" Meredith; two sisters, Virginia DeLong of Coeur D'Alene, ID and Barbara (Ralph) Stelzer of Lima; a special cousin, Dick Meredith; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah 'Sally' Meredith (1983); and a brother-in-law, Dr. David DeLong.

Visitation will be from 3:00 until 6:00 pm Thursday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services Shawnee Chapel and from 10:00 am until time of services at 11:00 am Friday at Market Street Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dottie Kaiser officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sally Meredith Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Lima Community Foundation or the Lima Family YMCA. The family wishes to recognize Jim's oncologist for the last 15 years, Dr. Don Benson of the James Cancer Institute, and nephrologist, Dr. Allen Bryant III of Lima Memorial Hospital, for their service to Jim.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.