James Russell Merizan

James Russell Merizan, almost universally known as Jim, passed on June 24, 2021.  He is lovingly survived by his wife of 41 years, Jeannie.  Along with his wife are his children starting with his oldest child and only son, Todd, eldest daughter, Kelley, middle daughter, Heather, and youngest daughter, Nicole.  After his children are his grandchildren in his oldest grandson, Troy, eldest granddaughter, Anne, and little granddaughter Charlotte.  Also Jim’s younger brothers, Bruce and Mark, and his cousin Barbra keep his memory alive.  Among those extended family are Charlanne Merizan, Steve Merizan-Aguayo, Sean Kaldor, Brenda Merizan, Anna Mae Crowder, Vivi Merizan, Carol Ann Lindegren and Russ Meyers.  As well as nieces and nephews Jessica Merizan, Brenton Meyers, Tina Bolderoff, Roxanne Merizan, Greg and Felisa Crowder, Jonathan Merizan, Christen Merizan, Travis Merizan, Kirsten and Gabby Huiber, Kate Huiber, Rebecca Merizan, and Isaac Huiber.

Jim’s time was devoted to his family and faith, he sought to live with honor and integrity.  Jim’s life was filled with many adventures; he was a Navy attack pilot with a significant record of successful missions during the Vietnam War with medals for honor and valor.  He had the opportunity to travel in the Middle East in his Masters program where he also worked with the State Department.  He started a business with the innovative idea to use privately owned fighter jets to facilitate tactical training with the military for adversarial combat.

But his true pride and joy in life was his family, he lit up when he was surrounded by those he loved and wanted only for their happiness and success.  Those who knew him best would say he liked to joke and tease and his demeanor was impish.  Even in the depths of sadness he tried to lighten the mood.  He perfected dad jokes and sometimes naughty antidotes that would make the most stoic person laugh.

At heart he was modest about himself and his accomplishments; among those was a BA in History at La Sierra University and a master’s degree in Public Administration and International Business at USC; he also received a coveted invitation and attended the Naval War college twice.  Along with these accomplishments, during his time in the reserves he served as the XO for the USS Ranger aircraft carrier.  He additionally worked with a program called Strike Warfare Training at Fallon, Nevada.

One of his remarkable accomplishments in business was the agreement with the Swedish and Danish governments for the purchase of seven Draken aircraft for his business, which he called “a civilian Top Gun.”  He was also a big advocate for education and taught for two years as a high school teacher at the Charter School at Flaybob Airport, where he received the favorite teacher recognition voted by the students at the graduation for the second year.  He remained in contact with one of his students for the following four years.  Along with this he taught afterschool programs where he introduced four Tuskegee airmen to children who hadn’t before heard of these heroic pilots.

His knowledge was vast, known by his family as the walking encyclopedia.  If you had a question, he most likely knew the answer or could point you in the right direction.  He enjoyed philosophical and theological conversations; his children were raised with these concepts as their first schooling.  He loved a good debate as long as he won, but he was never a sore loser.  Faith was the cornerstone of his life and he kept it through all the joys and hardships.  He was a Seventh Day Adventist.  He took an active role in teaching sabbath school classes on the bible and God’s message of love throughout it.  One of his proudest memories was watching both of his granddaughters, one baptized and one dedicated, be a part of that faith all on the same day.  One of the most joyous events of his life was finding out that his grandson, who had been diagnosed eight months before, was in remission from leukemia.

Jim’s life is best explained as a blessed guide to his family, the hero to his children and grandchildren, a gentleman, and a true larger than life person.  He will be truly missed, but in the faith he believed in we will all one day see each other again.