James “Jim” Albert Meadows of Lewisburg, WV, breathed his last on Thursday, March 13, 2014.
He was a U.S. Army veteran with in-country service during the Vietnam War. His later life was an ongoing battle against some of the effects of that service. Jim was an Army specialist 4, serving in the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. During his tour of duty, he earned several service medals.
Jim spent great portions of his life supporting family through his work. This played out in many ways, not least of which was the acceptance of legal guardianship of his grandson, Justin Michael Dye.
In his work life, Jim was a skilled construction carpenter and foreman, working for a number of years with Chatham Square Associates in Fredericksburg, VA, before joining Jim Walter Homes as a construction superintendent.
Eventually the rigors of the construction trade took its toll, forcing Jim to seek something else. He found work with the Wal-Mart Corporation and was eventually able to transfer to a store near his parents’ home in Lewisburg.
His final full-time employment was with The Greenbrier.
In a note of remembrance, a friend commented, “We all will miss him very much. His laughter, his wit, his simplicity in life. What a man he was. The world needs more people like him.”
Jim was predeceased by his father, William Lee Meadows; and a sister, Cynthia Lee Meadows.
He is survived by his mother, Freda Merel Crance Meadows; his wife of 18 years, Nancy Johnson Meadows; three brothers, Melvin Vernon (Julie), William Cleveland (Paula), and Richard Wayne (Kathy); sister, Donna Marie Smith (Donald); his children, Jennifer Anne Dye and James Melvin (Eileen); and grandchildren, Justin Michael Dye and Gweneth Abigail Meadows.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the May 9, 2014, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
