James Anthony Meehan

James Anthony Meehan, 81, of Bonita Springs, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on January 30, 2024 with his wife Pat by his side. Jim was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 21, 1942 and moved with his family at a young age to Seattle, Washington. He spent his formative years in Seattle, attending Garfield High School and working to help support his family from a young age. Following high school, Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served aboard a number of US Navy vessels, including the famous aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. After completing his service and being honorably discharged, Jim moved to New Jersey where he met a nurse named Patricia Cosby while working as a handyman at the hospital where she worked. Jim and Pat fell in love and were married in 1968. Jim and Pat left New Jersey and started a family in Seattle in 1970. During that period, Jim worked as an electrical lineman for Seattle City Light and he and Pat had two daughters (Trista and Shannon). Jim’s work as a lineman took the family first to Oswego, New York (where his son Wesley was born) and eventually to Bemidji, Minnesota (where his son David was born). Jim and his family settled in a rural area just outside of Bemidji in 1977 where he and Pat built their own log cabin and raised their four children along with a veritable zoo of dogs, cats, horses, pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, and goats. In 1994, Jim suffered an injury while working for Ottertail Power Company in Bemidji, which resulted in his permanent physical disability. As a result, Jim and Pat moved to Florida. In spite of his disability, Jim decided to pursue his lifelong dream of earning a college degree. At fifty-nine years old, Jim became a member of the first graduating class at Florida Gulf Coast University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. Following graduation, Jim dedicated his time to volunteering at Three Oaks Elementary, where he tutored students in math and reading. In addition to his work with elementary school students, Jim also spent a significant amount of time volunteering with a local prison ministry as well as serving as a spokesperson raising money at churches for a wheelchair ministry that provided low-cost wheelchairs to disabled people living in developing countries. Throughout his life, Jim had an incredible work ethic and an unfailing optimism, which continued despite his disability. Jim refused to let being in a wheelchair stop him from doing the things he loved and following his injury he customized his home workshop so that he could continue his various hobbies, including woodworking, woodcarving, clock repairs, and leathercraft. He also refused to let his injury and the many challenges he faced affect his faith and found great joy in his relationship with God and in studying the Bible with friends both old and new. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Cosby) Meehan, their four children, Trista Rowan, Shannon (Robert) Potter, Wesley Meehan, and David (Emma) Meehan, as well as seven grandchildren: Alexander Potter, Tristan Potter, Natalie Potter, Ryan Potter, Tyler Meehan, Liam Meehan, and Caleb Meehan. A memorial service in honor of Jim's life will be held on Monday, February 5th at 2:00 pm at Calvary Chapel, located at 20991 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero, FL 33928. Following the service, a veteran’s burial will take place on Thursday, February 8th at 12:00 pm at the Sarasota National Cemetery, located at 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241. Jim's unwavering faith, selflessness, and dedication to service will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him. He truly was a man after God’s own heart.

James Anthony Meehan

April 21, 1942 - January 30, 2024