Thomas Meek

Thomas Gerson Meek, 83, passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2004 in Waco.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Louis Catholic Church with Monsignor Mark Deering, Father David Leibham and Deacon Greg George officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6pm Friday followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m. at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Mr. Meek was born May 24, 1921 in Newport News, Virginia to Emma Sue and Grover C. Meek. He graduated from Waco High School in 1939 and attended Texas A & M, St. Edward's University, and Coyne Electrical School.

Mr. Meek served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War, and was stationed on the USS Essex and the USS Lexington aircraft carriers. He retired as a master chief petty officer after 38 years in the Naval Reserves.

On June 9, 1946 Mr. Meek married Anna Marie Czichos in the rectory of St. Mary's Churchof the Assumption. He worked as an aircraft electrician at James Connally Air Force Base and served as the union president until the base closed in 1965. Later, he worked for Schafer Aircraft Modification Co.

Mr. Meek was a active community volunteer. During his lifetime he served as usher at St. Louis Catholic Church; volunteer at the Veteran's Affairs Regional Medical Center; bilingual tutor at Bell's Hill and Provident Heights elementary schools; Boy Scout leader; president of the Reicher Band Boosters Club; and the first male president of the Providence Health Center Auxiliary.

In 1995, the Knights of Columbus awarded Mr. and Mrs. Meek the "Family of the Year" award, and in 1999 the Waco Conference of Christians and Jews chose them as "Family of the Year" for their volunteer work in the community.

Mr. Meek also was a member of many civic and religious organizations, including KJT #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 02148, Knights of Columbus Third Degree Council 8135, J.J. Kearns Knights of Columbus Council 1109, American Legion Post 0121, ACORN 45 and the Waco Genealogy Society.

He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather. After retiring, he enjoyed traveling with his family, volunteering in the community and researching his genealogy. Everyone will miss the funny stories he loved to tell.

Mr. Meek was preceded in death by his daughter, Diana Sue Meek.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ann; son Ronald B. Meek of Waco; daughter Janet Kemp and her husband Rand of Salado; granddaughter Laura Meek Mayberry and her husband Aaron of of Carrollton; grandson Travis Kemp and granddaughter Haley Kemp, both of Salado; nieces Gene Larson and Joanne White and nephews Raymond W. Czichos and Carroll Czichos, all of Wimberley; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers will be members of the J.J. Kearns Knights of Columbus Council 1109.

The family would like to thank all the healthcare professionals who cared for Mr. Meek during his long illness, including the Waco Veterans Administration Medical Center, Providence Home Care, and Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Fourth Floor Staff and Hospice.

In Lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the Salvation Army or the Charity of your choice.