Derrick
John Meister died on February 8, 2012, at the
age of 21.Derrick was born on October 27, 1990 in Eureka, California. He moved with his family to Bonners Ferry in 1998 and attended Valley View Elementary, Mt. Hall and Bonners Ferry Junior High, then graduated from the Idaho Virtual Academy with honors in 2008. He completed the CNA program with North Idaho College, and at the time of his death he was attending NIC with future plans to become a physician.
He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, participating in an alternative spring break project in western Washington.
Derrick was a deep thinker and a gentle soul, with an outrageous sense of humor and wit. His presence at family dinners, holidays and trips was not only enjoyable but something we looked forward to -- he made life fun.
Derrick is the irreplaceable thread in the fabric of this family we always counted on for support with projects, care and a shoulder … we can’t be whole without him. Our memories of Derrick will remain a beautiful garden of light, trees, flowers and wonder.
Derrick studied Buddhism and was the youngest student to ever be accepted into a program led by a Lama. Derrick wanted to become a Lama, an Eastern version of a therapist in our western culture. In accordance with his Buddhist beliefs, Derrick was the defender of all living creatures. Derrick’s brother-in-law sums Derrick’s nature up saying, “Derrick could feel the pain of all living things because he cared so much about everything and everyone he came into contact with.”
We will miss Derrick and regret his absence from our lives forever. We are so sorry that such a gentle soul is gone. The world lost a beautiful brightness with his passing, but we are confident in faith that he is contained and comforted within God’s arms; in tribute to Derrick the following was his favorite song, “In My Father’s House” by Eric Bibb.
"You might been raised on the block, You mighta wandered here from far, But no matter where you come from, No matter who you are, You don't need no ID, You don't need no membership cards, Well, you know you're always welcome, In my Father's house, You might be a child of the streets, You might be rich man's son, An' no matter what you're doin,' No matter whatcha done, When you got nowhere to hide, Got nowhere to run, Well, you know you'll find shelter, In my Father's house, When you're lonely an' discouraged, An' misery has no end, When you need that helpin' hand, An' no-one wants to lend, When you're beggin' for a friend Yes, you know you're gonna find one In my Father's house. When you're mistreated in this world Like a stranger in your own land, When the chains around your heart, Are just too much to stand, When heaven's just a word, An' hell is close to hand, Come an' lay your burden down In my Father's house”
Derrick is preceded in death by his father, David Frank Meister, his grandfather, Fred Just, Grandmother Helen Meister and his uncles Kevin and Timothy Just. He is survived by his mother, Leah Meister, his brother, David Joseph Meister, and his sister, Jessica Harbke; nephew Nicodemus Harbke, grandmother Donna Just and uncles Fred, Jamie and Brian Just and Aunt Margie Corcoran, and numerous cousins.