Wednesday, February 12, 2025
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Mike Meeks: An Edmonds Institution

Pickleball tournament coming in his honor

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Hundreds of friends, family, community members, and leaders gathered at Edmonds Center for the Arts Feb. 2 to remember a true Edmonds institution, Mike Meeks.

“Community” is the word that first comes to mind when I think of Mike and Katherine.

Mike was ever-present in our community. He was one of those people who was a part of everything, tried to help anywhere he could, and who saw making others laugh as his personal mission. (How I used to groan and chuckle when I received his terrible joke emails.)

Mike owned and operated a successful accounting business and seemed to work with everyone in Edmonds – he was our accountant for our first business and for my husband’s early political campaigns. Mike and his lovely wife, Katherine, patronized many Edmonds businesses and championed local charities and arts organizations, like the ECA and the Edmonds College Foundation.

They understood that supporting your community meant supporting the businesses and organizations here.

This community spirit was very clear at his memorial service on Sunday evening, as speaker after speaker recalled how Mike made Edmonds a better place and a place that future generations could enjoy.

More than anything, though, they spoke of the qualities we all knew and loved. In the words of his sister-in-law, Betsy, we loved him for his “quirky sense of humor, enthusiasm for life, honesty, and loyalty,” she said, and often “called him to hear one of his lousy jokes.”

Mike’s daughter, Liz, told a number of funny stories of how they challenged and adored each other. She beautifully described how he could spark conversation and engage with others, all in an effort to connect with people.

Mike was known for his Mike-isms, for his joy and kindness, and according to friend, Rich Bouche, for being the “Mayor of Pickleball.” He was an avid player at Harbor Square, having picked up the sport following a COVID-forced hiatus from his regular racquetball game at Harbor Square Athletic Club.

This love for the sport has been transformed into an opportunity to serve the community – look for information to come about the newly established Mike Meeks Annual Pickleball for a Cause Tournament and Social.

When we think of Mike, we remember how he would smile with his whole face, and that laugh. Friend Ruth Arista said after the service that it would have been wonderful if the whole audience broke out in a single, strong, “HA.” like Mike would start all of his fits of laughter.

Mayor Mike Rosen was one of the last to speak, saying it was an honor to know someone who “brought people together for friendship, for causes, and to celebrate.”  

Mike Meeks, very simply, lived a good life – a life of love and laughter and friendship and contribution.  I am grateful to consider him and Katherine friends and am confident the legacy of a man like him will persist in the people, businesses, and organizations he believed in.

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