James P. Meesis

Jan. 6, 1947 – June 7, 2019

Homer resident Dr. James Peter Meesis, 72, died at South Peninsula Hospital on June 7, 2019. Jim was retired both from his dental practice of more than 30 years and as a Cook Inlet drift fisherman.

Jim was born in Vancouver, Washington, on Jan. 6, 1947, to Dr. Rudolph and Maude (Pett) Meesis. Jim’s father worked for the Veterans Administration also as a dentist, moving frequently and residing mostly along the west coast states with a brief move to Battle Creek, Michigan.

After graduating from Walla Walla High School, Jim attended Whitman College, transfering to Oregon State University with a focus on pre-dental and wildlife sciences, finalizing his DDS degree at the University of Washington. He promptly moved to Fairbanks to open a practice, moving within a couple of years to his Homer office on Lake Street.

He was an avid waterfowl enthusiast, loving hunting and fishing. He won the Junior Champion of the Island Empire in trap shooting at age 17. He served on both the local Fish and Game Advisory Boards for 25 plus years and the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic board for 25 years. He also looked forward each spring being on the recipient selection committee for the Homer High School medical scholarship.

He owned and operated Doc’s Gun Clinic, Wild Alaska Salmon Co. and a small hotel called Posada Branta Negra in Mazatlan, Mexico that opened in 1996.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Alfred Meesis. He is survived by his wife, Lynne Burt, and ever faithful dog, Sol. A memorial is planned after the fishing season.