Dr. James William Meares

James William Meares, 85, of Virginia Beach, passed away on January 4, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with lymphoma.
Born on September 13, 1940, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to William and Sotrea Meares, Jim's life was defined by a profound devotion to his family, his faith, and his country.
He was an alumnus of the University of New Mexico, where he earned a B.S. in Biology (1963) and an M.S. in Microbiology-Immunology (1970). He went on to graduate from the School of Dentistry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1974.
A proud veteran, Jim served in the United States Navy for 28 years. During the Vietnam War, he served as a Combat Information Center Officer aboard the USS Manley (DD 940) and later continued his service as a Dental Officer in the Naval Reserve. In 1976, he opened his private dental practice in the Kempsville area, where he served the community as a beloved family dentist for 40 years.
Jim's faith was a cornerstone of his life. He was a pillar of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, where he served on the Parish Council and as Community President for seven years. A lifelong lover of music, Jim began singing in the church choir at age seven. It was through this shared passion for music that he met his beloved wife, Linda, while they were both singing in the choir. In his later years, he combined his historical knowledge with the precision of a surgeon's hands to build intricate replica models of military ships and aircraft.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Linda Meares; his three children, Tony (Tracy) Meares, Andrew (Isabella) Meares, and Christina (Joseph) Parsley; his sister, Chrissy; and his two cherished grandchildren, Evan and Gabriel. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Sotrea.
A trisagion will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 5:00PM at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Laskin Road Chapel, Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 1:00PM at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby street Norfolk, VA. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim's memory to the Hellenic Woman's Club Scholarship Fund (Norfolk Chapter) or to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir.
May his memory be eternal.