Obituary

LADDIE DON MEADOWS
(September 24, 1933 - November 14, 2015)

Laddie Don Meadows, 82, of Milton, WV cherished loved one to many departed this earth peacefully at his home on Saturday November 14, 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years Patty Jean (Fenner); his parents Luther H & Naomi M (Gill) Meadows and two sisters Dana L. Deaton; Mary A. Long. He was a 1951 graduate of Huntington East High School. He served his country proudly in the United State Marine Corps, a decorated Marine, who also played football for the USMC Camp Lejeune 1953 & 1954. He retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Chief of OAS after 33 years of service in 1986. He dedicated many locks, dams, lakes and recreation areas during his professional career and an extraordinary experience for him was the Summersville dedication where he was in the company of President Johnson and Senator Byrd. He was instrumental in the refurbishing of the old Huntington post office into the Federal Court House and a court room bears witness to his name for his dedication and service. He was a true man of honor, service and compassion. He was a dedicated Red Cross volunteer and blood donor for many years. He worked both professionally and as a volunteer on some of West Virginia’s most devastating disasters – Silver Bridge Collapse and Buffalo Creek Disaster. He was the largest by volume blood donor east of the Mississippi in the mid 1970’s and 1980’s. He was the first apheresis donor at the Huntington Chapter of the American Red Cross.   He valued the game of football and was a founding member of the Tri-State Youth Football League in 1964 and coached many a young man through his years as head coach and president for Barboursville Midget Football League throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. He was a member and served on the board of Dillon Chapel United Methodist church for over 50 years. He was president of the United Methodist Men and served on the board for Asbury Woods. He was Committee Chairman for over 30 years for Boy Scout Troop 63 and was Assistant Scoutmaster for 26 years for Wilderness Rangers. He was a camp and outdoor volunteer for Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council. He also served on the WV Pumpkin Festival Board of Director in its infancy.   He had a second home in Pocahontas County that he treasured, “the cabin”; truly his heart always yearned to be there more than anywhere, he affectionately called it “Here It Is.” He never met a stranger and he never let you leave hungry. He instilled many gifts and values in all those who were blessed to cross paths with him. He imparted much wisdom and knowledge over the years and from the pen of a wise man…”Don’t wait on faith to just show up, or until you need something big; give faith a chance to work, it won’t happen overnight but you’ll get back what you put in.” He is survived by two sons Michael R (Linda) Meadows of Milton; Mark (Nancy) Meadows of Barboursville and a daughter Kimberly Beach-Shaffer of Parkersburg; seven grandchildren, SheaLeigh Beach of Milton (with whom he lived and was his caretaker); Mindy Facemyer of Ft. Collins, CO; Megan Fox of Grayson, KY; Jayme Chapman of Barboursville, WV; Corey Beach of Jacksonville, FL; Jake Meadows of Huntington, WV and Morgan Meadows of Ashtabula, OH, and four step grandchildren, Summer Adkins of Barboursville, WV; Brandon Smith of Missouri: Ashley Shaffer of Huntington, WV and Kaci Shaffer of Spencer, WV and 8 great grandchildren and one brother Danny Meadows of Middleport, OH and two sisters Sue Short of Milton and Paul Meadows of Milton and a host of family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held on November 28, 2015 at the WV Pumpkin Park 4-H building from 2 pm – 6 pm with a service at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Eagle Pointe, Alzheimer’s Fund (in honor of Laddie Meadows), 1600, 27^th Street Parkersburg, WV 26101.  Henson & Kitchen Mortuary, Barboursville, W.Va. is caring for the Meadows family.