(From Parker Mortuary)William “Tom” Thomas Meadows, age 76, of Joplin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at his home.
Tom, son of the late Grover William and Mildred Gladys (Henson) Meadows, was born on September 20, 1945 in San Francisco, CA. He moved to Missouri at the age of 2 with his family and grew up on the family farm in Newton County. He attended and graduated from Granby High School, Class of 1963.
He was active in 4-H, FFA, and WoodShop learning welding, electrical, small engines, and got hooked on woodworking. During summers in high school, Tom worked for John Deere rebuilding tractors and doing custom farm work. He was named FFA State Farmer in 1963.
As a young man, he worked in quality control at the Kansas Army Ammunitions Plant at Parsons for 4 years. Tom served 6 years in the Army National Guard, starting with driving tanks, then as a Construction Engineer. He was in management at Yellow Freight Company for 27 years.
Tom was united in marriage to Sandra Kaye (Peterson) Gilman on March 6, 1982 at the Monark Baptist Church. Tom expanded his woodworking as he and Sandy opened Creative Works Custom Woodworking in Joplin providing many jobs. Tom and Sandy loved the challenge of designing and creating exactly what their customers wanted until 2014.
Tom was united in marriage to Sandra Kaye (Peterson) Gilman on March 6, 1982 at the Monark Baptist Church. Tom expanded his woodworking as he and Sandy opened Creative Works Custom Woodworking in Joplin providing many jobs. Tom and Sandy loved the challenge of designing and creating exactly what their customers wanted until 2014.
He was a 4-H Leader and enjoyed helping woodworking students learn new skills in the company workshop, judging woodworking competitions on local, regional, and national levels; and serving on advisory committees for Franklin Tech and Crowder College. Tom was a great supporter of the Redings Mill Fire Protection District even before being elected to the board. He assisted with many improvements for the agency over the past 25 years. He was an active member of South Joplin Christian Church for 35 years, where he served in many areas of ministry.
Survivors include his wife, Sandy Meadows, of the home; son, Christopher Gilman, of Maryville; one sister, Mary Jane Wilson, and her husband, Van, of Neosho, and her children, Anne Windsor, and her husband, Lance, of Joplin, Amy Jones, and her husband, Johnnie, of Neosho, and Becky Nicholson, and her husband, Brian, of Joplin; stepfather-in-law, Kenneth Burns, of Colorado Springs; brothers-in-law, Randy Peterson, and his wife, Linda, of Phoenix, AZ, and Dennis Peterson-Sloan, and husband, Chad, of Joplin; step sisters-in-law, Cathy Miller, and her husband, Warren, of Colorado Springs, CO and Candy Furnish, and her husband, Steve of Peyton, CO.; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; and many more close family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM at South Joplin Christian Church with burial to follow at Hornet Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 7th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Redings Mill Fire Protection District or to South Joplin Christian Church and may be entrusted to the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.
Survivors include his wife, Sandy Meadows, of the home; son, Christopher Gilman, of Maryville; one sister, Mary Jane Wilson, and her husband, Van, of Neosho, and her children, Anne Windsor, and her husband, Lance, of Joplin, Amy Jones, and her husband, Johnnie, of Neosho, and Becky Nicholson, and her husband, Brian, of Joplin; stepfather-in-law, Kenneth Burns, of Colorado Springs; brothers-in-law, Randy Peterson, and his wife, Linda, of Phoenix, AZ, and Dennis Peterson-Sloan, and husband, Chad, of Joplin; step sisters-in-law, Cathy Miller, and her husband, Warren, of Colorado Springs, CO and Candy Furnish, and her husband, Steve of Peyton, CO.; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; and many more close family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM at South Joplin Christian Church with burial to follow at Hornet Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 7th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Redings Mill Fire Protection District or to South Joplin Christian Church and may be entrusted to the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.
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