From the Laurel Oaks Funeral Home website:
"The world lost the kindest man ever born this week. David Laverne Meeks died on January 1 after an epic battle with multiple illnesses: diabetes, congestive heart failure, and, worst of all, cancer. As many of you know, cancer is a low-blowing, cheating, disgusting, dirty fighter. And it pulled no punches with David. Even so, David Meeks never stopped smiling. In fact, he kicked cancer in the teeth for the better part of a decade, taking everything the cruel disease could muster, and still finding the strength to stand and laugh and love. But that awful fight certainly didn't define him.
Marine, volunteer, elevator man, fisherman, hunter, whittler, golfer: they don't make men like David Laverne Meeks anymore. He grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma, the first son of four children. He adored all his siblings including his older sister Lou, who he very fondly looked-up to and his younger brother Millard for whom he set a shining example for how to be a good man. His younger sister Sue says he was, "the best big brother she could have asked for and in school, "he was always one of the most well-liked guys on campus."
In 1953, he enlisted in the Marines, and served during the Korean War for four years. During his time in military service, he played football and earned the rank of sergeant.
After receiving an honorable discharge, David moved to Dallas and met Shirley Brooks who would soon become the love of his life. They were married for 58 wonderful years, and had 4 girls, Sherri, Terri, Debbie and Sandy. Their life was filled with family, faith, and lots of love. The family of 6 took a vacation every summer and loved neighborhood fish fries. He worked in the elevator trade for over 30 years, starting with Westinghouse in the construction division before achieving service technician status. He would eventually retire from Schindler Elevators in 1991.
Afterward, David and Shirley spent five years traveling the country in an RV visiting America's finest stops like Washington D.C., and the Black Hills of South Dakota. They spent summers in South Park, Colorado and winters in Uvalde, Texas. Along the way, David learned the art of woodcarving and over the years produced a fascinating collection of wooden art.
He also enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow up, and never missed a football game for Clay, as a player, and Jacey and Bailey, as cheerleaders. To them, he was Papa: a warm, gracious and passionate man who was as likely to hoot and holler at referees as he was to cook up a mean fish fry.
There's a famous quote about President Theodore Roosevelt that says: "Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight."
Well, even that wouldn't have worked with David Meeks. Death had to fight this man day after day after day with every weapon in the arsenal. David battled with reckless abandon and fiery grit, and while death may have eventually taken his body on Jan. 1, 2017, it never came close to defeating his soul and his drive and his will and unrivaled happiness.
Indeed to know David Meeks was to know the personification of God's joy. There may be no other way to describe that infectious joy than by some sort of divine intervention. How else would a flat-top wearing, blue-collar working, Marine roughneck, father of four girls not wind up a grumbly, grumpy, stay-off-my-lawn kind of guy? Instead, this was a humble, loving, tender, faithful, blissful man who taught everyone he knew to approach every day with a grin on his face and love in his heart.
David was preceded in death by his father, Millard Meeks, mother, Mattie Meeks, brother, Millard Meeks and daughter, Terri Bauer.
He is survived by wife, Shirley Meeks, daughters Sherri Stewart, Debbie Swartz and husband Rocky, Sandy Travis and husband Mike. Grandchildren, Clay Swartz and wife Natalie, Jacey Bullock and husband Cy and Bailey Travis, Jimmy and Stephanie Stewart and Nicole and Ashley Bauer. Also 8 great grandchildren, sisters Louise Orr and Sue Hyde, a very special sister-in-law Nancy Brooks and numerous other family members and friends."
At the time of his death David resided in Mineola, Texas.
"The world lost the kindest man ever born this week. David Laverne Meeks died on January 1 after an epic battle with multiple illnesses: diabetes, congestive heart failure, and, worst of all, cancer. As many of you know, cancer is a low-blowing, cheating, disgusting, dirty fighter. And it pulled no punches with David. Even so, David Meeks never stopped smiling. In fact, he kicked cancer in the teeth for the better part of a decade, taking everything the cruel disease could muster, and still finding the strength to stand and laugh and love. But that awful fight certainly didn't define him.
Marine, volunteer, elevator man, fisherman, hunter, whittler, golfer: they don't make men like David Laverne Meeks anymore. He grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma, the first son of four children. He adored all his siblings including his older sister Lou, who he very fondly looked-up to and his younger brother Millard for whom he set a shining example for how to be a good man. His younger sister Sue says he was, "the best big brother she could have asked for and in school, "he was always one of the most well-liked guys on campus."
In 1953, he enlisted in the Marines, and served during the Korean War for four years. During his time in military service, he played football and earned the rank of sergeant.
After receiving an honorable discharge, David moved to Dallas and met Shirley Brooks who would soon become the love of his life. They were married for 58 wonderful years, and had 4 girls, Sherri, Terri, Debbie and Sandy. Their life was filled with family, faith, and lots of love. The family of 6 took a vacation every summer and loved neighborhood fish fries. He worked in the elevator trade for over 30 years, starting with Westinghouse in the construction division before achieving service technician status. He would eventually retire from Schindler Elevators in 1991.
Afterward, David and Shirley spent five years traveling the country in an RV visiting America's finest stops like Washington D.C., and the Black Hills of South Dakota. They spent summers in South Park, Colorado and winters in Uvalde, Texas. Along the way, David learned the art of woodcarving and over the years produced a fascinating collection of wooden art.
He also enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow up, and never missed a football game for Clay, as a player, and Jacey and Bailey, as cheerleaders. To them, he was Papa: a warm, gracious and passionate man who was as likely to hoot and holler at referees as he was to cook up a mean fish fry.
There's a famous quote about President Theodore Roosevelt that says: "Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight."
Well, even that wouldn't have worked with David Meeks. Death had to fight this man day after day after day with every weapon in the arsenal. David battled with reckless abandon and fiery grit, and while death may have eventually taken his body on Jan. 1, 2017, it never came close to defeating his soul and his drive and his will and unrivaled happiness.
Indeed to know David Meeks was to know the personification of God's joy. There may be no other way to describe that infectious joy than by some sort of divine intervention. How else would a flat-top wearing, blue-collar working, Marine roughneck, father of four girls not wind up a grumbly, grumpy, stay-off-my-lawn kind of guy? Instead, this was a humble, loving, tender, faithful, blissful man who taught everyone he knew to approach every day with a grin on his face and love in his heart.
David was preceded in death by his father, Millard Meeks, mother, Mattie Meeks, brother, Millard Meeks and daughter, Terri Bauer.
He is survived by wife, Shirley Meeks, daughters Sherri Stewart, Debbie Swartz and husband Rocky, Sandy Travis and husband Mike. Grandchildren, Clay Swartz and wife Natalie, Jacey Bullock and husband Cy and Bailey Travis, Jimmy and Stephanie Stewart and Nicole and Ashley Bauer. Also 8 great grandchildren, sisters Louise Orr and Sue Hyde, a very special sister-in-law Nancy Brooks and numerous other family members and friends."
At the time of his death David resided in Mineola, Texas.
From the Laurel Oaks Funeral Home website:
"The world lost the kindest man ever born this week. David Laverne Meeks died on January 1 after an epic battle with multiple illnesses: diabetes, congestive heart failure, and, worst of all, cancer. As many of you know, cancer is a low-blowing, cheating, disgusting, dirty fighter. And it pulled no punches with David. Even so, David Meeks never stopped smiling. In fact, he kicked cancer in the teeth for the better part of a decade, taking everything the cruel disease could muster, and still finding the strength to stand and laugh and love. But that awful fight certainly didn't define him.
Marine, volunteer, elevator man, fisherman, hunter, whittler, golfer: they don't make men like David Laverne Meeks anymore. He grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma, the first son of four children. He adored all his siblings including his older sister Lou, who he very fondly looked-up to and his younger brother Millard for whom he set a shining example for how to be a good man. His younger sister Sue says he was, "the best big brother she could have asked for and in school, "he was always one of the most well-liked guys on campus."
In 1953, he enlisted in the Marines, and served during the Korean War for four years. During his time in military service, he played football and earned the rank of sergeant.
After receiving an honorable discharge, David moved to Dallas and met Shirley Brooks who would soon become the love of his life. They were married for 58 wonderful years, and had 4 girls, Sherri, Terri, Debbie and Sandy. Their life was filled with family, faith, and lots of love. The family of 6 took a vacation every summer and loved neighborhood fish fries. He worked in the elevator trade for over 30 years, starting with Westinghouse in the construction division before achieving service technician status. He would eventually retire from Schindler Elevators in 1991.
Afterward, David and Shirley spent five years traveling the country in an RV visiting America's finest stops like Washington D.C., and the Black Hills of South Dakota. They spent summers in South Park, Colorado and winters in Uvalde, Texas. Along the way, David learned the art of woodcarving and over the years produced a fascinating collection of wooden art.
He also enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow up, and never missed a football game for Clay, as a player, and Jacey and Bailey, as cheerleaders. To them, he was Papa: a warm, gracious and passionate man who was as likely to hoot and holler at referees as he was to cook up a mean fish fry.
There's a famous quote about President Theodore Roosevelt that says: "Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight."
Well, even that wouldn't have worked with David Meeks. Death had to fight this man day after day after day with every weapon in the arsenal. David battled with reckless abandon and fiery grit, and while death may have eventually taken his body on Jan. 1, 2017, it never came close to defeating his soul and his drive and his will and unrivaled happiness.
Indeed to know David Meeks was to know the personification of God's joy. There may be no other way to describe that infectious joy than by some sort of divine intervention. How else would a flat-top wearing, blue-collar working, Marine roughneck, father of four girls not wind up a grumbly, grumpy, stay-off-my-lawn kind of guy? Instead, this was a humble, loving, tender, faithful, blissful man who taught everyone he knew to approach every day with a grin on his face and love in his heart.
David was preceded in death by his father, Millard Meeks, mother, Mattie Meeks, brother, Millard Meeks and daughter, Terri Bauer.
He is survived by wife, Shirley Meeks, daughters Sherri Stewart, Debbie Swartz and husband Rocky, Sandy Travis and husband Mike. Grandchildren, Clay Swartz and wife Natalie, Jacey Bullock and husband Cy and Bailey Travis, Jimmy and Stephanie Stewart and Nicole and Ashley Bauer. Also 8 great grandchildren, sisters Louise Orr and Sue Hyde, a very special sister-in-law Nancy Brooks and numerous other family members and friends."
At the time of his death David resided in Mineola, Texas.
"The world lost the kindest man ever born this week. David Laverne Meeks died on January 1 after an epic battle with multiple illnesses: diabetes, congestive heart failure, and, worst of all, cancer. As many of you know, cancer is a low-blowing, cheating, disgusting, dirty fighter. And it pulled no punches with David. Even so, David Meeks never stopped smiling. In fact, he kicked cancer in the teeth for the better part of a decade, taking everything the cruel disease could muster, and still finding the strength to stand and laugh and love. But that awful fight certainly didn't define him.
Marine, volunteer, elevator man, fisherman, hunter, whittler, golfer: they don't make men like David Laverne Meeks anymore. He grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma, the first son of four children. He adored all his siblings including his older sister Lou, who he very fondly looked-up to and his younger brother Millard for whom he set a shining example for how to be a good man. His younger sister Sue says he was, "the best big brother she could have asked for and in school, "he was always one of the most well-liked guys on campus."
In 1953, he enlisted in the Marines, and served during the Korean War for four years. During his time in military service, he played football and earned the rank of sergeant.
After receiving an honorable discharge, David moved to Dallas and met Shirley Brooks who would soon become the love of his life. They were married for 58 wonderful years, and had 4 girls, Sherri, Terri, Debbie and Sandy. Their life was filled with family, faith, and lots of love. The family of 6 took a vacation every summer and loved neighborhood fish fries. He worked in the elevator trade for over 30 years, starting with Westinghouse in the construction division before achieving service technician status. He would eventually retire from Schindler Elevators in 1991.
Afterward, David and Shirley spent five years traveling the country in an RV visiting America's finest stops like Washington D.C., and the Black Hills of South Dakota. They spent summers in South Park, Colorado and winters in Uvalde, Texas. Along the way, David learned the art of woodcarving and over the years produced a fascinating collection of wooden art.
He also enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow up, and never missed a football game for Clay, as a player, and Jacey and Bailey, as cheerleaders. To them, he was Papa: a warm, gracious and passionate man who was as likely to hoot and holler at referees as he was to cook up a mean fish fry.
There's a famous quote about President Theodore Roosevelt that says: "Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight."
Well, even that wouldn't have worked with David Meeks. Death had to fight this man day after day after day with every weapon in the arsenal. David battled with reckless abandon and fiery grit, and while death may have eventually taken his body on Jan. 1, 2017, it never came close to defeating his soul and his drive and his will and unrivaled happiness.
Indeed to know David Meeks was to know the personification of God's joy. There may be no other way to describe that infectious joy than by some sort of divine intervention. How else would a flat-top wearing, blue-collar working, Marine roughneck, father of four girls not wind up a grumbly, grumpy, stay-off-my-lawn kind of guy? Instead, this was a humble, loving, tender, faithful, blissful man who taught everyone he knew to approach every day with a grin on his face and love in his heart.
David was preceded in death by his father, Millard Meeks, mother, Mattie Meeks, brother, Millard Meeks and daughter, Terri Bauer.
He is survived by wife, Shirley Meeks, daughters Sherri Stewart, Debbie Swartz and husband Rocky, Sandy Travis and husband Mike. Grandchildren, Clay Swartz and wife Natalie, Jacey Bullock and husband Cy and Bailey Travis, Jimmy and Stephanie Stewart and Nicole and Ashley Bauer. Also 8 great grandchildren, sisters Louise Orr and Sue Hyde, a very special sister-in-law Nancy Brooks and numerous other family members and friends."
At the time of his death David resided in Mineola, Texas.
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