08/17/07 - NNHS Newsletter - Jimmy ("Butch") Meador
James E. Meador
(6 Sept 1942 - 15 Aug 2007)
Newport News High School Class of 1961
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08/17/07 - NNHS Newsletter - Jimmy ("Butch") Meador
James E. Meador Newport News High School Class of 1961 |
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
We have yet another sad edition of the NNHS Newsletter today.
Jimmy ("Butch") Meador of the Class
of 1961 has passed away at his home in Newport News shortly before his 65th
birthday.. For 44 years he was married to the love of his life, Carol
Thomas Meador('65).
From the Daily Press - 08/17/07:
 
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James E. "Butch" Meador | ||
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NEWPORT NEWS - James E. 'Butch' Meador died suddenly at
home, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. He was born Sept. 6, 1942, at the old Buxton
Hospital in Newport News, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents, James
and Gladys Meador, and his sister, Barbara Baker. Butch was an active member
of Seaford Baptist Church, where he enjoyed working tirelessly in the
kitchen where he made it his personal goal that everyone was well fed and no
one left hungry. One of the things he was most proud of was that he learned
sign language and signed along side his granddaughter, Abby Ragans, during
the Seaford Baptist Christmas Musical. Butch was a member of the Breemond
Masonic Lodge in Newport News. He was an active member of the Red Knights
Motorcycle Club 'Virginia 6.' He was also a member of the Harley Owners
Group of Yorktown. Riding his bike was an enjoyment as well as a way for him
to continue giving to others by participating in many fundraising rides. In
his lifetime, he served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He
worked for seven years for UPS. After leaving UPS he discovered his true
passion in life, fire fighting. Butch joined the York County Fire
Department, where he served 20 years before retiring as a Battalion Chief in
1980 due to health issues. During the 20 years he dedicated himself to
serving the citizens and his fellow fire fighters. For Butch fire fighting
was not a job it was a way of life and that showed in the many citations and
merits he received during his career. One such citation was given to him and
signed by President Ronald Reagan for saving the life of a citizen while he
was off duty. He was awarded the York County Employee of the Year Award by
the Exchange Club of York County in 1982. Even after his retirement from the
department he continued his charitable ways, one example of this was after
seeing the devastation and destruction of Hurricane Isabel he coordinated
the relief efforts and personally delivered water and ice to many residents
on Seaford. Even in death Butch's caring spirit lives on as he was an organ
donor. He was currently employed by Resource Bank in Newport News, Va. He
leaves behind his soul mate and true love of his life, Carol, his wife of 44
years; his daughter, Robin Ragans and her husband, Tommy Ragans; his son,
Jeff Meador and his wife, Terrie Meador; the lights of his life four
beautiful granddaughters, Megan Meador, Abby Ragans, Taylor Ragans and Laci
Ragans; his mother-in-law, Florine Thomas; sisters-in-law, Jean Merrill and
husband, Tommy, and Sandra Reinholdt; and nieces and nephews residing in
Georgia as well as numerous loving family members and friends here in
Virginia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday,
Aug. 18, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from
5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that donations be made to the York County Fire & Life Safety, 301
Goodwin Neck Road, Yorktown, VA 23690. Friends are encouraged to visit
www.mem.com to share words of comfort with
the family. Service arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral
Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton. Published in the Daily Press on 8/17/2007. Guest Book |
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Carol (Thomas - '65) and Jimmy Meador |
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| The years I had Butch as a supervisor while working for the York F.D. are years I will always treasure. He was my Batt. Chief and also a friend. I regret not staying in closer contact with him in recent years. I'll miss you, "Chief" Meador. |
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Doug Williams
(Gloucester, VA) -
August 17, 2007 Contact me |
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Carol & Family, We were so sorry to read of Butch's passing in the paper today. Please know that our love and prayers are with you and your family. Doug & Dianne Eacho |
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Doug Eacho (Newport News, VA)
- August 17, 2007 |
| We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. |
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Sonja Deal & staff of Dr.
Paul Evans - August 17, 2007 |
| Our prayers are with you and your family. Chief Meador was an inspiration to me as my Battalion Chief with York County and he will be missed by many. |
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Robert Yeager
(Gloucester, VA) - August 17, 2007 |
| Dear
Meador Family, I was shocked to hear of Butch's passing, and my heart and prayers go out to each of you. I remember Butch from the many, many years that I worked at Grafton Garage in Yorktown. He always came in to either have some work done to his vehicles or to just talk and joke with "Bubs" and the other guys. He could always make you laugh and I know he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. The Lord is with each and every one of you, just as Butch is and he will watch over you every day. God Bless Alice Belvin Owens Achilles, Va. |
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Alice Owens (Achilles,
VA) - August 17, 2007
Contact me |
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Carol, May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers. |
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Lynnette Sanders
(Yorktown, VA) - August 17, 2007
Contact me |
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Butch was a great guy, and I am honored to have known him in my time working
for York County. Butch was always easy going and fun to deal with at work. My thoughts are with Jeff, Terri, and the rest of his family. Butch will always be fondly remembered by so many people. Rest in peace, Butch! |
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Michael Gardner
(Yorktown, VA) - August 17, 2007 |
| What a tragic loss for all of us. Butch Meador was one of the funniest people I have ever had the joy of working with! I will remember you always. |
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Lavinia (Tyson) Thornton
(Guinea-Achilles, VA) - August 17, 2007
Contact me |
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Carol; Jeff and Robin: We are very sorry that we could not be with you during this time of grieving. Our prayers thoughts and hearts are with you, and your children. We have many good memories of "Butch" from over the years. He was a "great Host' and a "great cook." and we enjoyed many of his meals over the years. Our family reunions will not be the same without his smiling face and good food. Enjoyed discussing "cars" and driving a couple of his "hot rods" over the years. We have lost a loving member of our family and will miss him very much. Love you all, Sis & Eddie |
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Sis & Eddie Shelton
(Hollywood, FL) - August 17, 2007 Contact me |
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Butch was a fine Marine. I watched him grow up in Newport News, and then
enlist the Marine Corps. As we like to say in the Corps, he is now Guarding The Gates. May his family find peace in this time of grief. Semper Fidelis, |
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Joseph Madagan (WESLEY CHAPEL,
FL) - August 17, 2007
Contact me |
Our sincerest sympathies are extended to Carol and her entire family at this time.
This information is also posted here:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/SITE-MAP.html
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam-all.html
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam61.html
From Fred Mays
('60) of VA - 08/17/07 - " James
E. "Butch" Meador":
I hope you are doing well. You are the
very best in informing everyone of any news, and I regret to inform those who
knew him, that James E. "Butch" Meador has passed away. I saw the
obituary in today's Daily Press. He died suddenly, Wednesday, August 15,
2007, at his home. I went all the way through high school with him and I
checked the 1960 yearbook and did not find his picture? He was a truly nice
guy and the obituary is a testimony of the man he was and all of his
accomplishments in life. I saw him once a few years ago at a restaurant and
spoke to him, mentioning the great reunions. He expressed an interest and
I gave his address to Bonnie Moell Manning.....He did not make the next
reunion. I recognized him immediately when I saw him. Apparently, he made a
great impact on many people.
Thank you, Fred. I was working on his Newsletter when your note arrived.
From Elizabeth Tedder Nunnally ('65/'68) of VA - 08/15/07 - "Carol Thomas":
Carol,
Read in today's paper that
James E. "Butch" Meador passed away on 8/15/07.
Don't know if he went to NNHS but his wife,
Carol Thomas was n the Class of '65. They got married when she was in the
11th grade and she didn't finish with the Class. Carol has worked at Peninsula
Memorial Park for about 15 years. Every time I have business there (which has
been several times in the last couple of years) we talk about the wonderful
times at NNHS. She never fails to talk about her husband who was the true love
of her life! Just thought you'd want to know about this.
Take care,
Thank you, Elizabeth. I remember Carol very well. From her photograph it appears she is just as beautiful now as she was then.
Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
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NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
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Carol Buckley
Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408
The Last Post
"The Last Post" midi courtesy of http://www.mfiles.co.uk/other-midi.htm - 03/26/06
Greg Olsen Paintings courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 01/27/05
Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04
Animated Marine Corps Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03
Masonic Emblem courtesy of http://www.mindspring.com/~safetyplay/qual.htm - 06/15/07
York County Fire Department Patch courtesy of http://www.yorkcounty.gov/fls/index.html - 08/17/07
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