John Arthur Meister, a man devoted to his family and loved by his friends, went to be with our Lord on October 12, 2014 from complications due to renal cancer. He was 71 years of age.
John was born in 1943, in Pasadena, California to Marjorie and John Meister. John grew up in Monrovia with his younger brother Fred. He graduated from Monrovia High School in 1961 and then entered Pasadena City College. There he studied Graphic Arts and his main focus was on the printing trade. He went on to take classes at a trade school. He became a journeyman in both press work and pre-press stripping. He loved his work.
While John was working at Terrick and Associates, he met his wife Ruth Scofield in October of 1970. They would go on to marry in Pasadena in February of 1971. John and Ruth moved to Portland, Oregon area about 7 months after they married. John had always wanted to live in the Northwest. Newburg, Oregon is where they would start their family. In 1972 their first daughter, Gretchen Lee, was born. Another special little girl would be born to them in 1974, Rebecca Lou. After moving to Walla Walla, Washington for one year, they moved to Redmond, Washington, where their third child was born, John David. They took him to their home on Tamarack Lane, were they have resided for 37 years. During the 1980’s, the family would spend weekends up at Lake Kachess at Ruth’s folk’s cabin. John loved fishing and cross country skiing. Many memories were made by the family there.
John worked at Heath Printers in Seattle for 16 years as pre-press foreman. In the late 80’s, he was on the cutting edge of digital pre-press and 
color correction. In the early 90’s, he moved on to LithoCraft for 20 years. There he also managed the pre-press department. He later became their IT specialist. Customers would call into the “Ask John” phone line where he would give his expertise. Both companies were family owned and offered the stability that was important to John.
One of John’s true loves was the Amateur Ham Radio community. He learned to be a “Ham” in junior high. Later he would meet other young hams in High School and would get his license. He had many good friends throughout his many hours of talking to people around the country and the world. He belonged to a Ham Club that met every third Thursday for breakfast in Redmond for many years.
In 2011 John was diagnosed with renal cancer. For those 3 ½ years he was treated at Seattle Cancer Care. He always had hope, had a wonderful spirit about him, and never complained. His love of family and his desire to see his Grandchildren grow up kept him going. He knew that he wanted to talk more to his friends, just one more time; he wanted to go to Cannon Beach, just one more time, and he more than ever wanted to be there at the future events of his Grandchildren. We don’t know why he was taken so soon, but we rely on our faith that there is a plan and God is in control.
John is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 43 years of marriage; his brother Fred; his three children, Gretchen, Rebecca, and David; his five Grandchildren Saffron, Ava, Liam, Ian, and Madeline.
A special memorial service is being planned to celebrate John’s life.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.