James Luther Meyer

Jim was born in Outlook, WA on June 1, 1934, the fifth child and second son of Luther and Esther Meyer. He grew up in Outlook, attending school in Outlook and Sunnyside. Jim graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1952. A highlight of Jim’s years in high school was playing in the band. During high school, his musical passion was further driven by his selection to play French horn with the United States Navy Band during the band’s tour of the area.

After graduation, Jim studied at Washington State University (then Washington State College) earning a degree in music in 1957. Prior to the start of Jim’s senior year at WU, he married Helen Halsey of Outlook, WA on August 19, 1955. Jim and Helen had been friends since prior to entering grade school and a favorite photo among family members is of Jim and Helen sitting side-by-side in the second grade class picture.

While at WSU, Jim was a member of the Army ROTC. Following six months of active duty at Fort Monmouth, NJ, he completed his military obligation.

Leaving Fort Gordon, the young couple moved to Princeton, NJ where Jim attended Westminster Choir College. Jim graduated from Westminster in 1959 with a master’s degree in music. Jim and Helen traveled south from NJ to Fort Payne, AL where Jim accepted his first position as a choir director.

In 1960, Jim and Helen returned to Yakima where Jim assumed the role of Minister of Music at First Presbyterian church. Jim was also a music teacher for several Yakima schools. Later, he served as principal at both Roosevelt and Gilbert Elementary Schools. Jim retired from the school district in 1995.

Following his retirement, Jim’s love of Yakima found him serving in many civic and community positions. He served as president of both the Yakima School Foundation Board and the Yakima Symphony Orchestra Board. He also was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church.

Jim’s passion for music also kept him busy in retirement and he participated in the Yakima Symphony Choir and the Yakima Valley Community Band. Jim was active in a French horn quartet that performed for various events around the area.

Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the spring of 201 and in March of 2011 that diagnoses was revised to Lewy body dementia.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law Jerome Loucks and Toi Kerttula, and a sister-in-law Marilyn Meyer. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Helen Meyer of Yakima, WA and sisters Mary Ellen Juhola (Leo) of Edmonds, WA, Anna Loucks of Concord, CA, and Frances Kerttula of Helena, MT, and brothers William Meyer of Shoreline, WA, and Bob Meyer (Sherrey) of Milwaukie, OR. Jim is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima at 1:00 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012. Memorial gifts may be made in lieu of flowers to Yakima Symphony Orchestra or Ghormley Meadows.