JIM MERIDEW 1911 - 2009 .Jim passed away on July 27, 2009 at the age of 98. Beloved father to David Meridew, Darleen Smith and loving grandfather to Heather Smith, Perry Smith (Joleen) and Glenn Smith (Danielle). Much-loved great grandfather to Veronica Smith, Erika Smith, Chaycee Smith and Summer Smith. Many nieces and nephews will miss him. Predeceased by his wife Rietta, his brothers Bill, Alfred, Edwin and his sister Jessie Gibson. David James Meridew Sr., known as Jim, was born to Herbert and Mary Meridew (nee Knowles) on June 18, 1911 in Paris, Ontario. In the late 1920's Jim and his father worked their way across the Prairies on the Harvest trains to Stettler, Alberta. Jim later found work at Tranquille Sanitorium where he met his wife Rietta. They married on October 6, 1939 in Vancouver, BC. Jim and Rietta moved to Victoria where Jim worked as a gardener at the Empress Hotel. During the Second World War, he was employed with the Esquimalt Shipyards. Jim returned to Kamloops with his family in 1947. He was the Head Gardener at Tranquille Sanitorium until his retirement in 1975. Jim was a good father and grandfather who enjoyed life to the fullest. He was an avid outdoorsman until his early nineties. He enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, swimming and boating. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. in the Schoening Funeral Chapel with Canon Jack Phelps officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 2T1 in memory of Jim. On-line condolences may be expressed at http://www.schoenings.com