James Menard Meston
James Menard Meston, 89, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 15, 2018. He was adored by his family and friends and admired by those whose lives he touched.
Born in Omaha, Neb., and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, he worked for nearly 40 years at Westinghouse Electric Corp., where he held several human resources positions. He then worked as a human resources and organizational development consultant for more than 20 years with clients such as Speedo, Carnegie Mellon University, Alcoa, Jockey International and the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club.
He entertained as a humorist at clubs, sports banquets and business and private functions and was the featured humorist at the annual Dapper Dan Sportsmen of the Year Dinner from 1973 to 2002.
He served as president of American Society of Training and Development, was active with United Way and served as chairman of the board of Wesley Institute.
He was a contributor to Upper St. Clair’s USC TodayMagazine for more than 12 years and served as president of Hickory Lions Club in 2008 and 2009.
He attended St. Louis University for two and a half years on a football scholarship. When St. Louis University dropped its football program, he transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, where he continued to play football and baseball, graduating with a degree from Drake Business School.
Upon graduation, he was offered opportunities to play professional baseball, but chose to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served for three years during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. After his military service, he returned to Des Moines, where he started his career at Westinghouse, later transferring to Chicago, and then to Westinghouse headquarters in Pittsburgh, which he called home since that move in 1964.
He was a recipient of Drake University’s Double “D” Award in 1984, the university’s highest athletic honor. He was also inducted into Dowling High School’s sports hall of fame.
He enjoyed spending time with his wife, Marjorie, and friends and family at his beach house in Emerald Isle, N.C., as well as fishing, golfing, gardening, writing, blogging and entertaining. He was a kind, fun-loving man who never missed an opportunity to make people laugh.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Roberts Meston.
Surviving are daughters Catherine Caum (Stephen) and Carole Weigner; sons James (Roslyn), Robert (Patricia) and Thomas (Nina); 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The staff of Country Meadows in Bridgeville and Gallagher Hospice Services provided him with attentive and compassionate care.
Friends and family will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, December 28, and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 29, in Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317. A memorial celebration will follow the visitation Saturday, and attendees will be given an opportunity to share stories and memories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wesley Family Services, 615 Alpha Drive, Suite 250, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.