James S. Meyer passed away on April 30, 2025, at the age of 81 at The Villages Hospice House in The Villages, FL.
Jim was a devoted husband, father and a good friend to many. Jim is survived by his wife Arlene M. Meyer, wife of 57 years, daughter, Kellie Ann Mitchell, her spouse Spencer Mitchell of Winter Gardens, Fl., his son Matthew J. Meyer and his spouse Kirsti Meyer of Tampa, FL. Four grandchildren, Douglas J. Mitchell & wife Alyssa live in Ocoee, Fl., Zachary Mitchell of Los Angeles, Calif., Tommy Meyer, and Lauren Meyer.
Jim was born in Fond du Lac, WI on February 17, 1944, to Orville and Georgianna Meyer. Jim was the 2nd oldest of 7 children. 3 Brothers Richard Meyer and wife Dorothy live in North Fond du Lac, WI. Paul Meyer lives in Albuquerque, NM. Michael Meyer lives in West Bend, WI. Sisters Judy Franzen and her late husband Harvey Franzen live in Oshkosh Wl., Rosalind and Patricia Meyer lives in the Denver CO. area. Jim’s family had a dairy farm in Dotyville, Wisconsin. He attended a Catholic school first through eighth grade and graduated in 1962 from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac, WI.
1961-1962. Jim was a hired man and lived on a dairy farm owned by Ed & Joyce Burns. 1962 -1965. Jim served in the US Army-3 years. Received an honorable discharge in 1965. 28 months of the 36 months were served in the 8th Admin. Div. in Bad Krueznach, Germany. Jim graduated from Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh in 1969 with a BS degree. He joined the Vets Club and the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. He was the fraternity treasurer for 3 years.
Jim met his wife Arlene M Lakota on campus in 1965. They got married June 17th, 1967. Oct. 1969. Hired by UPS as a Mgmt. Trainee. Delivered pkgs. 2 months. Appleton WI. Jan. 1970. Promoted-Mgmt. 2 different supervisory positions. Milwaukee. & Madison WI. 1971. UPS expanded their territory served. Jim was a driver trainer in Wichita, KS. After 4 months he returned to Wisconsin. He then attended a Supervisory training school in Utica, NY and a tractor trailer training school in South Holland, IL. 1972-1980. Manager. 4 different assignments in Wisc. (Baraboo/Wisc. Dells), Eau Claire, South Side Milwaukee. Manager of the night side Milwaukee tractor trailer drivers.
1981. Jim had a 7-month stint in Industrial Engineering in Milwaukee WI. The remaining 5 months he taught Management skills to UPS supervisors a t Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC. 1980-81. Volunteered Police Commissioner for Village of Lac LaBelle in Wisconsin. 1982. 8 months Jim lived in West Bend, Wisc. but, reported to the UPS Corporate office in Greenwich, Conn. Jim headed up a National auditing team. Each week, team went unannounced to a different state. Last 4 months, Loaned Executive for UPS to The United Way campaign in Milwaukee. Jim was the 1st UPS Loaned Exec.
In 1982 Jim & Arlene went to a Lowell Lundstrum Religious Revival. Jim accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Arlene had done so several years before. 1983-1988. Division Manager in Wisconsin, Indiana, Germany, and Chicago. ***While in Indiana in 1984 Jim, Arlene, Kellie, and Matt were Baptized by Immersion at the Eastview Christian Church in Martinsville. 1989-2000. District Manager of Western New York and Minnesota. Other Assignments. Jim sat on numerous UPS Corporate & Regional Committees and attended a Logistics School at Michigan State University. 2 semesters covered in 14 long days.
February 28th, 2000, Jim retired from UPS after 31 years and 10 relocations. Built log home on a walleye & musky lake on Plum Lake in Sayner, WI. Jim also bought 1203 acres of land in the UP of Michigan. Named it “The Matchwood Ranch”. Another log home was built. A hired hand and Jim planted 35-40 acres of food plots for wildlife. Land was used to hunt deer and grouse, snowmobile, occasional hayrides, get-away for golfing buddies, friends, and family. This man cave kept Jim busy and out of mischief. Arlene loved the lake home. Our black Labrador (Harley) loved both places as much as Jim. 2001-2004. Jim was Vice President of the Plum Lake Association in Sayner, Wisconsin. 2005-present.
Both properties in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Peninsula were sold. Jim and Arlene built a new home in Bridgeport at Lake Miona in The Villages, FL. 2006-present. Member in the American Legion Post 347. 2007-present. Member of the Fairway Christian Church. 2008 to Nov. 2020. Recreation Chairman for the Fairway Christian Church. Hobbies since retirement to the Villages. Softball, pickleball, and golf. Umpired also softball.
The Celebration of Jim’s Life will be at the Fairway Christian Church on Hwy 466. Jim’s final resting place will be at the Bushnell Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Fairway Christian Church of The Villages, FL.