James Franklin Meadows June 16, 1949 - May 30, 2025

James Franklin Meadows, the second son of Vard and Eloise (Mauer) Meadows, was born on June 16, 1949 in Pocatello, Idaho. He was raised in American Falls, Idaho, living in town but helping his father on the Meadows Farm outside of American Falls. As a child, Jim attended elementary school, junior high, and high school in American Falls, graduating from American Falls High School in 1967.  As a teenager he loved to play golf and was on the high school golf team, and he was the manager for wrestling and basketball teams. He was interested in science and did well academically. In the fall of 1967, James enrolled at what was then Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, James accepted a call to serve a full-time mission for the church in 1968 and was called to the Colombia-Venezuela mission, where he served for two and a half years. During his mission he was also able to serve in the mission office as mission secretary. Jim developed a love for the culture and a good understanding of the language and loved the people he served. After his mission Jim returned to Ricks College and graduated with his associate degree in 1971.

On August 18, 1971, Jim married Connie Beesley, of Rupert, Idaho, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Jim and Connie dated before his mission and had written to each other throughout his mission. That fall he began studying at Brigham Young University as a zoology major while Connie taught junior high History in Heber City. He completed his studies at BYU in 1973 and was invited to give the Valedictory speech at the College of Biological and Agricultural Science commencement. Upon graduation Jim was accepted into the University of Washington School of Dentistry and moved with Connie to Seattle. During dental school Jim and Connie were apartment managers and had many opportunities for growth, and they looked back on this time fondly. He graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1977.

After passing his dental boards, Jim and Connie moved to Hillsboro, Oregon to establish a dental practice in a town where they knew no one and no one knew them. Through active faith and determination Jim began his practice in Hillsboro while also working as an associate at a practice in Vancouver, Washington. It was a scary day when he decided to focus solely on his practice in Hillsboro. Jim was a people person, thoroughly enjoying his profession and his patients. Many of his patients were Spanish-speaking and Jim enjoyed working with them, using his Spanish-language skills acquired from his church mission service. Throughout his dental career, Jim provided humanitarian service both locally in Utah, Oregon, and Washington as well as the countries of Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras. He would later say that his participation in humanitarian work was the highlight of his professional career. Continuing his professional education was also important to Jim. He earned a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, reflecting his commitment to excellence and learning.

Throughout his life Jim loved playing golf, attending baseball games, and singing in community choirs, both in Oregon with the Westside Singers and in Utah with Payson Chorale. He also enjoyed serving his community in various capacities.

Jim had a strong commitment to his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in positions in bishoprics, high councils, missionary work, and temple service. He was an ordinance worker in the Portland Oregon Temple and in Payson Utah Temple and treasured his time serving there. While living in Oregon, Jim was called on a stake mission to serve for 2 years in the Spanish branch of the Hillsboro Oregon Stake to prepare new members to go to the temple. He also translated sacrament services; a tremendous skill Jim was able to use on many occasions throughout his life. Jim loved serving, and his mission ended up lasting 6 years, which was no complaint.

The real joy of Jim’s life was his family. Jim and Connie were blessed with two daughters, Jordan Elizabeth and Stephanie Rachelle. Brought to them through adoption, they were desired and loved as their own. Both daughters were sealed to them in the Seattle Washington Temple and brought great joy into his life. One of his most enjoyable activities was spent camping with his family, especially at the Oregon Coast.  As his daughters married, bringing along “sons” and grandchildren, that joy only increased. Jim loved his grandchildren. He was proud of them and their accomplishments in life and continued to want their success and happiness.

Jim passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie; his daughters Jordan Elizabeth Lehnhof and Stephanie Rachelle Córdova, his two sons-in-law Benjamin Lehnhof and Manuel Córdova, and six grandchildren: Nathaniel James Lehnhof, Eva Rachelle Lehnhof, Isaac Emmanuel Córdova, Nicolas Gabriel Córdova, Levi Samuel Córdova, and Sophia Elizabeth Córdova. He is also survived by his two brothers Arthur Meadows (Cheryl), and David Meadows; and by his sister Coral Ann Zimmerman (Gordon); and nieces and nephews that he dearly loved.  Jim is preceded in death by his father Vard West Meadows and his mother Eloise Margaret (Mauer) Meadows as well as grandparents, aunts and uncles whom he dearly loved and with whom he is now joyfully reunited.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made in the name of James Franklin Meadows, to the Humanitarian Aid Fund at Philanthropies.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints, Temple Ward Chapel, 952 West 1580 South, Payson, Utah 84651.  Prior to the funeral, there will be a visitation, also at the church, where family and friends may gather from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah 84651.