James David Meschke

James David Meschke died on December 11, 2024. He was born on September 30,1951 in Oak Park, Illinois to David and Betty Meschke.
He had a sister and three brothers: Jayne, John, Jeff and Jerry.
At four years old Jim accepted Christ when his mother helped him understand the Gospel. Jim's dad, David, was a Navy chaplain which entailed a move with his family every two years. Jim lived in Texas, Virginia. Illinois, Japan, Florida & California. In 1969, he finished high school in San Diego.
In 1971 Jim bought a 1956 Chevy which he worked on till he sold it to his brother Jerry and bought a table saw. The car is still in the family with Jeff in Florida.
Jim attended Western Bible College near Denver where he sang top tenor in a men's quartet, the Travelers. At Western he met his first wife, Deby Pfost, from Brush. They were married in 1974 and raised three children: Andy, Nate & Jessica.
Jim worked on Deby's parent's dairy farm for a few years, then he & Deby served with Overseas Christian Servicemen's Centers, now Cadence International, in Missouri and South Carolina. He had a remodeling business in Nebraska in the 90's.
After moving back to Brush in 2002, Deby died in February 2003. Jim married a widow, Rachel Paulson, who he knew from Cadence, and in 2004 they built a house together near Brush.
Jim sold vehicles at the Toyota dealership in Fort Morgan for 14 years. He was always interested in building strong relationships with his customers and was known as the dealership's "Grandpa Jim."
Jim had many hobbies which included woodworking, gardening and beekeeping. In recent years he built tables, benches, bookshelves and bookends, especially using his stash of southern yellow pine salvaged from hurricane Hugo in 1989.
He enjoyed making salsa and pickles from his garden produce, often sharing with family, friends, and co-workers.
Jim experimented with different styles of backyard beehives, with limited success. In each hobby he loved the process of doing, more than having.
He loved books and reading and had a vibrant love of learning.
Jim had planned to pursue these hobbies into retirement, but his lung disease prevented it. He saw it as his "thorn in the flesh" but found joy in the sufficient grace of God's strength made perfect in weakness promised to the Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians 12:9.
Jim was a great storyteller which often included some of his favorite quotes like,
"What a fine day to be employed."
"There's a little truth in all humor and a little humor in all truth."
"A man always does what he wants to do."
"You can say anything you want with a smile on your face."
"You will never have to apologize for something you didn't say."
"Their story's not over."
Jim tried to live out his favorite Bible verses:
Proverbs 16:2-3
"All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."
First Corinthians 10:31
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Jim is in heaven, not because he was a good man, though he was, but because he is a forgiven man.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, David and Betty Meschke, his father-in-law, Bob Pfost, and his first wife, Deby Meschke.
He is survived by his first mother-in-law Edith Berndt, Deby's extended family, his wife Rachel and her extended family, his sister Jayne (Bob) Alston, brother John (Bert) Meschke, brother Jeff (Susan) Meschke and brother Jerry Meschke. He is also survived by his children, Andy (Erin) Meschke, Nate (Emily) Meschke, Jessica (Jason) Crawford, Florin Meschke, Thad (Morgan) Paulson, Jessica Paulson, and fourteen grandchildren.
Memorial Service will be on Saturday December 21st at 10:30am at Platte Valley Baptist Church, 22750 US-34, Fort Morgan, CO 80701.