JC Meardon’s family, friends celebrate his life

IOWA CITY - For those who gathered Saturday for JC Meardon's celebration of life ceremony, the evening marked a new beginning rather than an end.

More than 100 of friends, family and community members attended the ceremony at City High School for Meardon, a 16-year-old City High student and soccer player who died July 12 after being struck by a car. But instead of focusing on the loss, the friends and family celebrated something new - the JC Meardon Soccer Foundation - to help Meardon's memory endure.

'It has to be about keeping him alive,” said Jose Michel Fajardo, City High's boys' soccer coach. 'It's the beginning of his new life, and he's going to be with us forever.”

The foundation, began by Meardon's father, Chuck Meardon, was created to provide finances for soccer facility upgrades and club soccer scholarships, Fajardo said. It was created in conjunction with the City High School soccer team and the Iowa Soccer Club, represented by Meardon's coach, Jon Cook.

Meardon was remembered by his friends and family at a candlelight vigil earlier this month for his love of soccer and ability to make many friends. Fajardo retired Meardon's No. 12 City High soccer jersey.

Fajardo said the foundation wasn't created simply to provide new soccer equipment or facilities; rather, every small contribution the foundation can make to the soccer community 'is a piece of JC” and a visible reminder to keep Meardon's memory alive, Fajardo said.

'It's an opportunity to do something powerful and to do good in a moment when you're trying to make sense of what happened,” said Julie Dancer, the mother of Meardon's close friend Jonah Dancer. She helped with the event.

Memories of Meardon - photos and trophies - were spread across tables. Stories about Meardon were shared with the crowd and a slideshow of photos from his life was presented.

Classmates and friends sold T-shirts and bracelets to benefit the new soccer foundation as part of the 'win4weasel” project. ”Weasel” was a nickname Meardon's father gave him as a child because he was mischievous and liked to play tricks on others.

The T-shirts are Meardon's favorite color, yellow, and included a black No. 12 on back. On the front, the slogan 'win 4 weasel” is written in red and blue, to represent City High and Iowa Soccer Club.

Jackson Meyer, Meardon's best friend, told the crowd that the merchandise is being sold to benefit the foundation because 'every kid should be able to have the opportunity to play on a soccer team” and each shirt 'spreads JC's spirit a little bit more.”

Julie Dancer said Chuck Meardon was 'dreaming big” for the new foundation, named for his son. The foundation already has a board of directors and has goals to provide scholarships to the Iowa Soccer Club and improve aspects of City High's soccer field, such as lights, new players' benches and better bleachers for fans.

For those who want to support the JC Meardon Soccer Foundation, contributions may be sent to Hills Bank at 1401 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City, IA, 52240.