James Wendell Meador Obituary

James "Jim" Wendell Meador, age 85, passed away on Feb. 21, 2015, at Mercy Hospital, in Joplin, after a short illness. Jim was born July 4th, 1929, in Urbana, Mo., 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 Mo. She survives at home. Additional survivors include daughter, Carol Lynn and husband, Rusty, Fordyce Ark., 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, Jennifer Hooks and husband, Jonathan, Bentonville, Ark., Kelli Wright and husband, Josh, Sargents, Colo.; 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 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.