Pete Meeds, 1942-2017
Calvin Ross: July 5, 2017. My friendship with Pete began in the 3rd grade at Alcott school. His family had moved to a house on Hillside, only a few blocks from my family’s house on Lorraine. In sandlot football at Sleepy Hollow, Pete wore no equipment, played with head-first abandon and robust laughs. He and I often played hooky from Miss North’s art lessons. We rode our bikes to Hawk’s Pharmacy to read comics and magazines instead. In little league baseball, I pitched, he caught. He was a talented, fun, energetic spirit and a great childhood pal. Our friendship continued at Roosevelt and East High. I always looked forward to seeing Pete at our high school reunions. I deeply feel his loss. My sincere condolences to LaDonna, Charlie, and to his entire family.
Obituary
Merle Eugene “Pete” Meeds, 74, retired Boeing N.C. Programmer, passed away Friday, June 30, 2017. Rosary will be at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, July 6, 2017, both at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Pete enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events, having coffee with the guys at Panera, shopping at Costco for new “toys” and treats, and was looking forward to his favorite holiday – July 4th. Above all else, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was always good for a “sweet” or two when the grandkids dropped by for a visit.
Preceded in death by his parents, Albert M. Meeds and Evea L. Meeds; and wife, Carla S. Meeds. Survived by son, Patrick Meeds of Fort Myers, FL; daughters, Samantha Meeds, Heather Meeds, Courtney Hays (Adam) all of Wichita; grandchildren, Brittany Meeds, Kylie Meeds, Tanner Meeds, Phoebe Laufer, Camryn Hays and Piper Hays all of Wichita; sister, La Donna Moss (Duane) of Lexington, SC; brother, Charlie Meeds (Angela) of Simsboro, LA. A memorial has been established with Victory In The Valley, 3755 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at www.dlwichita.com
Below, Pete and Alice Smith Bascom ’60 hanging out at the McKnight Memorial Fountain in 1960.
All through middle school and some of high school, Pete walked home from school with Calvin, his brother Charlie and some other guys, as well as with Brenda Benjamin, Helen Olson, Debbie Snyder, Mary Lohrenz, Suzanne Porter and me. Meandering east up Douglas, we always stopped at King’s Drug store, taking over the three booths and having cherry cokes and good stories to share. Then we split up as some continued east on Douglas and others moved north on Hillside. The same group of us enjoyed parties and movies on weekends. We played in the snow at Sleepy Hollow and went caroling near Alcott. I still remember that Pete was my first formal date in middle school and that he brought me a beautiful red orchid corsage. A person of good cheer, Pete always looked on the bright side and seemed to really enjoy life.