Thursday, April 30, 2009

Jim's Obituary

This will run in both Salt Lake newspapers and the Daily Herald on Saturday and Sunday.

James Baker Meeks

“Jim”




James Baker Meeks, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 after a fifteen-month battle with spindle-cell sarcoma, a rare cancer.  He was born October 11, 1956, in Concord, CA, the third child of Arden Earl Meeks and Dixie Ann Baker. 

Jim married his high-school sweetheart, Patricia Jo Godfrey, on August 18, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple after serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous church callings, especially cherishing his time as Bishop of the BYU 53rd Ward from 2004 – 2007.

Jim began his career as a proud firefighter/paramedic for the Salt Lake County Fire Department, where he worked for eight years before completing the Physician Assistant program at the University of Utah in 1992.  He also served briefly in the Army Reserve before being released honorably due to a serious injury to his hand.

Jim practiced as a PA from 1992 – 2008, when his illness prevented him from working more. He tirelessly worked for the advancement of his profession, and among other things served as President of the AFPPA from July 1, 2008 to the day he died.  He received many awards and honors, among which were 1990 Utah Public Employee of the Year, Utah Physician Assistant of the Year in 1995, and Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA in 2008.  No matter how busy he was Jim always made time for the greatest love in his life, his wife and family.

His mother, father, stepmother Sherry Carr Meeks, and one sister preceded Jim in death.  He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Patricia; devoted children, Clint (Jen), Mariah (Enrique), Coleton, Clayton, Makell; adoring grandchildren, Boston and Roman; seven siblings, and all those who knew him.

Services will be Monday, May 4, 2009, 1:00 p.m., Lindon Central Stake Center, 50 E 600 N, Lindon, UT. Friends may call at the same address on Sunday from 6 – 8 p.m. or on Monday at 11 a.m – 12:45 p.m. Flowers may be sent to Goff Mortuary, 8090 S State Street, Midvale, UT, 84047. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to ATTN: University of Utah, c/o Dr. Chen/Gouw’s Sarcoma Research, 540 Arapeen Drive, Ste. 250, SLC, UT 84108.

11 comments:

Cal and Whit said...

I worked with Clint and Jen at Check City. I heard on several occations about what a great Dad Clint had and I was so sad to hear the news today. Clint, Jen, and the Meeks Family, you are in my prayers. I will be thinking of you often.

DeLoy and Heidi Brady said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all right now. This is so sad. What an awesome man.

Steve Ruiz said...

I had the opportunity to know Jim as both a teacher and a collegue. He is a most excellent Man. The PA community will certainly morn the loss collectively, as one of it's champions has had to move on to more important work. My deepest condolences at his passing. He is a great example.

Beth Bradley said...

Please accept my sincere condolences to the family.
I was shocked and saddened by his passing. Jim is a great man. He was one of my teachers, a colleague, and a friend. The last time I saw him was on the bus last year going home from the U. He was a busmate, too.
Thank you for posting that picture. Even with his tubes and trach, he still looked full of life and spirit.
Heavenly Father needs his help on the other side. It's up you, his posterity, to continue to spread the gospel through your individual endeavors. Do not worry, Jim will also be wathcing over you.
May the Holy Spirit envelope you in comfort. I am thankful to have met him in this life. I am praying for him and for you.

Unknown said...

Patti and children,

I am Jim's cousin Mike Carr. His uncle Kent was my dad. He was Sherri/Sally's brother. We had lots of fun times in Annabella when the Meeks Family would come to ride horses and play around the farm and ranch. I have fond memories of our times together. It has been a joy to keep in touch through email of the exciting new additions to the family as children have got married and then when children have come along. He was an incredible patriarch in your family. I can tell that he was loved dearly by all. I am amazed at his accomplishments. I am sure he is preparing the way for all of you to join him in the presence of our Heavenly Father. I am so sorry he has suffered for so long and is no longer with you. Our family's prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Cousin Mike Carr
Santa Clara, Utah

lynn fautin said...

I MET JIM THROUGH HIS WIFE PATTY AND WE (MY FAMILY) AND I HAD AN INSTANT BOND AND WHEN MY SON WAS DEATHLY ILL JIM AND PATTY WERE RIGHT THERE. JIM HELPED US UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH HIM AND HELPED US TO COPE WITH IT ALL. LEIGHTON PULLED THROUGH. HE AND JIM HAD A VERY TRONG BOND FROM THERE ON.
THEN WHEN MY HUSBAND (RUSS) WAS DEATHLY ILL AND REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL JIM CAME UP TO HEBER AND TALKED SOME SENCE INTO HIM AND THEN TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE JIM AND THE OTHER DOCTORS WORKED THROUGH RUSS'S HEALTH PROBLEMS AND PULLED HIM THROUGH. I STILL CAN'T GET RUSS TO SEE ANOTHER DOCTOR. I KNOW THAT GOD SEND US ANGELS TO HELP US THROUGH LIFE AND JIM WAS OUR ANGEL I KNOW WE WILL SEE HIM IN HAVEN BECAUSE GOD LOVES HIM AS MUCH AS WE LOVE HIM,

lynn fautin said...

rI MET JIM THROUGH HIS WIFE PATTY AND WE (MY FAMILY) AND I HAD AN INSTANT BOND AND WHEN MY SON WAS DEATHLY ILL JIM AND PATTY WERE RIGHT THERE. JIM HELPED US UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH HIM AND HELPED US TO COPE WITH IT ALL. LEIGHTON PULLED THROUGH. HE AND JIM HAD A VERY TRONG BOND FROM THERE ON.
THEN WHEN MY HUSBAND (RUSS) WAS DEATHLY ILL AND REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL JIM CAME UP TO HEBER AND TALKED SOME SENCE INTO HIM AND THEN TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE JIM AND THE OTHER DOCTORS WORKED THROUGH RUSS'S HEALTH PROBLEMS AND PULLED HIM THROUGH. I STILL CAN'T GET RUSS TO SEE ANOTHER DOCTOR. I KNOW THAT GOD SEND US ANGELS TO HELP US THROUGH LIFE AND JIM WAS OUR ANGEL I KNOW WE WILL SEE HIM IN HAVEN BECAUSE GOD LOVES HIM AS MUCH AS WE LOVE HIM,

Britt said...

I ran into Mariah a while agoa and she told me your Dad's blog site. I was so very sad to hear of your Dad's passing. Your Dad was a really great guy. I can't imagine the pain and hurt your family is going through right now. Please know you are in my prayers. Give your Mom, Jen, Mariah and Makell a hug for me. Love Brittany

Poster 1 said...

I am so sorry to hear that the world has lost such a great man. To me personally, I can not begin to tell you what Jim has meant to me over the dozen or so years of knowing him. To his family, my thoughts and my prayers are with all of you. Please find comfort in knowing how much Jim was thought of by so many people. He helped so many on his journey in life. He was more than a medical man, he was someone who let you know he cared.

I will never forget Jim, and will think of him often.


Robin Dexter

Jim Picanco said...

I knew Jim for nearly 20 years.We were classmates during PA school and remained friends since.I will always cherish his friendship. I looked forward to seeing him every fall at the AFPPA conference. His diligence at raising the bar for PAs will always be remembered. I have truly lost a good friend. Jim Picanco,PA-C.

jeff said...

been thinking of you lately, Bishop Meeks...