In Memory Of

James "Jim" Franklin Meese

Dec 30, 1948 - Apr 4, 2025

Service

Saturday, May 24, 2025
2:00 pm
Rocky Mountain Alliance Church
5304-57 street
Rocky Mountain House, AB

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts, yet full of gratitude for his hope of heaven, that we announce the passing of James Franklin Meese Jr. on April 4, 2025, at the age of 76. Jim passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at the Rocky Regional Hospital.
Jim was born in Tonasket, Washington, USA on December 30, 1948, to parents James and Betty Meese. He loved to recall stories of the fun and mischief he enjoyed while growing up with his 4 siblings in California and on the family ranch in Washington. Jim realized his need for Jesus as Saviour when he was 15 years old, kneeling in the middle of an alfalfa field while changing sprinklers.
In the fall of 1970, Jim met Arsheen and knew right away that he wanted to marry her. They were married on April 30, 1971. Jim began working for Arsheen’s father at an apple warehouse where he excelled and became the youngest manager in the Okanagan Valley at that time. However, Jim felt God calling him into Christian ministry, so in 1976, he moved his young family to Pambrun, Saskatchewan, to attend Miller Memorial Bible School.
After graduation, Jim received what he jokingly referred to as the “moosadonian call” and headed further north where he became pastor of the Fairview Gospel Chapel. God grew the congregation under Jim and Arsheen’s ministry, and they made life-long friends in this new community.
In 1988, Jim moved with his wife, and now 5 children, to Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, to pastor the Rocky Alliance Church. Once again, God used Jim and Arsheen’s love for Jesus and people. They made many new friends, and in the first few years, the church became one of the fastest growing Alliance churches in Canada.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman who loved boating, fishing, hunting (especially with the Glover boys), camping trips, driving his quad, and adventures on Williston Lake. He was the inspiration behind many memorable family outings and trips, including special vacations and regular trips back to the USA to visit relatives. Jim was a fun-loving and playful dad and grandpa, who was wise and resourceful, and always eager to provide for and help his family. Jim enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and was always up for a game of crib, pool, or crokinole. He made an unbeatable team with his buddy “Geno,” playing games or tackling a mile-high berry pie in BC.
Jim was full of life and fun, and had an insatiable appetite for Diet Coke, Twinkies, Snickers bars and Arsheen’s famous chocolate “mud” cake. He took great delight in entertaining folks with stories, jokes, and songs that he wrote, becoming well-known in later years for singing his original Thanksgiving song to anyone and everyone who would listen.
Jim retired from full-time church ministry after he underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery at the age of 50. He and Arsheen felt the Lord directing them to a new ministry as foster parents, and over the years, more than 60 children came to stay in their home, with some placements becoming permanent. Jim had dreamed of having a ranch with cattle since he was a boy, and he believed it was a blessing from God that allowed him to have both at his A Lazy J Ranch.
Jim took joy in serving as president of the Foster Parent Association, and in starting a small fruit stand and ice cream trailer business with Arsheen called Taste of the Old Okanagan where they transported and shared their love for affordable, tree-ripened fruit from the Okanagan Valley.
Jim continued to have health challenges and was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He was able to live his final years in the home he loved because of the devoted care provided by his beloved wife. He also appreciated the aides who came to assist him at home and always looked forward to visits from friends and his respite time playing crib with Leonee. Although his final years were filled with debilitating health and suffering, Arsheen said that Jim was patient and loving, finding his joy in the Lord even through his daily challenges. Jim was passionate about his faith, eagerly looking for opportunities to talk about his love for Jesus and the gift of salvation through repentance of sin and belief in Jesus’s death and resurrection. This hope remained right through to the end as Jim expressed his excitement for heaven and being in the presence of the Lord.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents (James and Betty), two brothers (Jerry and Steve) and two children (Kimberly and Justin). He will be remembered by so many who knew and loved him, including his wife (Arsheen); children (Heather, Christy, Jamie, Jimmy, Ian, Kale, Brandon, Rochelle, Dustin, Duncan, Darren, Brittney and Carl); 17 grandchildren (Hope, Gabriella, Ethan, Gavin, Blair, Theo, Talon, Corbyn, Malachi, Weston, Greyson, Elijah, Persayis, Eden-May, Kulu, Obadiah and Hartlen); siblings (Cheryl and Randy); and stepmother (Nora).

A service will be held:
Rocky Mountain Alliance Church
5304-57 street
Rocky Mountain House, AB
Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 2pm

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences

Philip Stel:

My deepest condolences to Jim‘s family and all those who are in his circle of loved ones. I have a lot of great memories of our days as colleagues in Rocky.

Shirley Nelson:

I was sad to hear of Jim’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Laura and Verdon Toews:

We were so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We don't grieve for him - he couldn't be in a better place - but we grieve for Arsheen and family as he has left a vast gaping hole. We are grateful for our time at Rocky View Alliance as we learned so much from Jim and Arsheen. Their love for others was palpable. May God bless you, Arsheen and family in the days ahead with His immeasurable grace and love.

Dawn & Donn Mason / Meryl & Ernest Campbell:

Thinking of you all at this especially difficult time. Jim held many important titles throughout his life but none more important than, husband, Dad and Grandpa. He will certainly be remembered as a great neighbor and friend as well; he will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Our thoughts are with you Arsheen and your family...

Ken & Sharon Bumgarner:

Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to you, cousin Arsheen and your family. You and Jim can be pleased with the good you have done in this world by helping so many children. You both are truly Jesus’ disciples and we are so fortunate to have you as kin-folk. Love you, Ken & Sharon

Kevin and Nadine Cusack:

We are so very sorry for your loss Arsheen. Hugs and prayers for you and all the family

The Diachuk Family - Eli, Shirley, Vanessa, and Alicia:

Our deepest sympathies to Arsheen and family at this time. Pastor Meese was always such a welcoming and positive presence when we attended the Alliance Church in Rocky Mtn. House. God now has obtained another "helper" in Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Tim and Carolyn Clow:

Sending our sincere condolences to the Meese family. But rejoicing with you all that Jim is no longer suffering with any debilitating effects, but celebrating with Jesus.

Dean, Deena Arychuk and Jennifer:

Sending all of our love, prayers and big hugs. We are so sorry for your loss. May all of your wonderful memories and knowing he is with the Lord - brings you peace during this time. Jim will always have a special place in our hearts, we were so blessed and grateful for his fellowship and friendship.

Wayne and Marilyn Downey:

We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our condolences.

Kathy Murch:

May God wrap his loving arms around Arsheen and her families, and bring you peace as only he can. My deepest sympathies.

Laura turnbull:

May Jim find eternal rest . Condolences.To Jim’s family archeen may jim live forever in your heart rip Jim.

Sharon Bumgarner:

Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing but we know the Lord was waiting for him. Our prayers are with you and the family at this time but we know your faith will carry you. Love you, Sharon

Lori and Tyler Weigel:

To Arsheen and Family it was a joy being able to meet Jim and spend time with you Arsheen and Jim at your family home and will always hold those times near dear to our heart. So sorry for yours and all the families loss of Jim and like to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to you all. May he rest in Peace and God bless, and God bless you all in this very difficult time.
Luv Lori and Tyler Weigel

Marjorie Bradley:

Dear wonderful friends,
May the Presence of Jesus, His comfort and love surround you and give you peace. Jim was such an inspriation to all of us. I look forward to seeing him in Heaven with so many other relatives who have gone before me. God bless you all, I am wishing I could be there to support you, but you will be in my prayers at this time of grief.
love,
Marjorie Bradley
Whitfield Victoria,
Australia

Jacklyne Bjornn:

I am going to miss you uncle Jim I love you and can’t wait to see you again in heaven tell Justin hi and give him a hug . And please Grandma and Grandpa Shirley big hugs ! until me meet again in heaven I will cherish all of the memories that I had with you and aunt Arsheen and all my cousins .

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