Jim Meador

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

James “Jim” Wendell Meador, age 85, passed away on February 21, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin after a short illness. Jim was born July 4th, 1929 in Urbana, Missouri to the late Earl and Eva (Grisham) Meador. Jim graduated from Urbana High School in 1947 and from Southwest Missouri State College in 1952 with a degree in accounting. He began work for Baird, Kurtz, and Dobson, Certified Public Accountants in Joplin December 1951 and retired as a partner in 1981. While in public accounting Jim was active in several accounting associations.

Jim was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and Tri-M Sunday School Class for over 50 years. He was an avid golfer getting his first and only hole-in-one at the age of 73. He was also an old car enthusiast. He was a member of Fellowship Lodge No. 345, AF&AM. He was master of this lodge in 1971. Jim also belonged to the Scottish Rite Bodies of Joplin. He loved working with cattle and general farm work. His family was always one of his top priorities.

Jim married Elizabeth Ann Potter June 10, 1953 in Springfield Missouri. She survives at home. Additional survivals include daughter Carol Lynn and husband Rusty, Fordyce Ar., daughter Julie Gillogly and husband Kevin, Republic Mo., and son Jim Meador and wife Carole, Webb City Mo.: grandchildren, Kristen Woods and husband Shannon, Springfield, Mo., Lauren Slater and husband Chris, Springfield, Mo. Jennifer Hooks and husband Jonathan, Bentonville, Ar., Kelli Wright and husband Josh, Sargents, Co.: and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Wilma Gillham, and two brothers, Bill and Ed Meador.

Jim was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a man of great integrity. He will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at 1st United Methodist Church. Reverend Bruce Jacobs will officiate, with a private family burial before the service. The pallbearers will be Chris Slater, Jonathan Hooks, Josh Wright, Shannon Woods, Rusty Lynn, and Kevin Gillogly. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.