Leonard Dewey Meeks

Leonard Dewey Meeks was born January 26, 1934 to Inga Christene Bakke and Leonard D. Meeks in Gatesville, Texas. As his mother’s maiden name indicates, Dewey was of Norwegian descent and always very proud of that fact.

Dewey went to be with the Lord May 31, 2013 in the Dallas home he loved and had shared with his wife for 50 years.

Dewey married the love of his life Marguerite Aline King on Sept. 6, 1957 in Pleasant Grove, Texas. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2007, and were married for a total of 56 wonderful years. They were constant companions and shared a life filled with love, respect, fun, and faith.

They had one daughter, Christena (Tena) Meeks Mitchell. Dewey was Tena’s life-long cheerleader. Anything she did, he was there supporting and cheering her on. She volunteered him and Aline to be Senior Class Sponsors on the ski trip for First Baptist Academy. She volunteered him for a lot of things, including building endless numbers of white cabinets and white shelves at Lakeland Christian Academy where Tena is the Director in preschool. Everyone loved Tena’s daddy and wanted to be included in that circle. He was “Tena’s Daddy” to a wide range of people. This affectionate connection has been evidenced this week by the many offerings of condolences for the loss of “Tena’s daddy” & “Mr Meeks” that have been expressed on Facebook by the many people whose lives he touched.

Dewey is survived by his immediate family wife, Aline, his daughter Tena Mitchell, son-in-law Brad Mitchell, Sr., grandson Bradley Todd Mitchell and granddaughter Christena Anne Mitchell.

To Dewey, his family was everything. In fact, Tena recalls that she only saw her daddy tearful three times in her life: at the death of his own mother, when Brad asked permission to marry Tena, and last Thanksgiving when he expressed his gratitude and joy at being able to share another occasion with the family he loved so much.

Dewey thought that he had the ideal son-in-law in Brad or he never would have entrusted his daughter to him. He was always very proud of Brad, but nothing could compare to his pride in the precious grandchildren that Brad and Tena gave him.

Dewey took great joy in introducing Bradley to the “guy’s world” of hunting and fishing. In fact when Bradley was born, Dewey took a baby blue fishing rod and reel to the hospital. Dewey became a part of everything Bradley did. He loved to watch Bradley wrestle and even drove to North Dakota to see a tournament there. When the opportunity arose for Bradley to wrestle in Beijing, Dewey saw to it that Bradley was able to do that. It’s a wonder he didn’t accompany him there. But it was on the occasion of Bradley’s graduation from high school that Dewey shared with Bradley the ultimate experience, fishing in Alaska. His Papa ((pronounced PawPaw)) never missed an opportunity to share life and make memories with his grandson.

Christen also had a special relationship with her Papa. She was his little princess, and as such, needed protecting. Again, he attended everything Christen did whether it was a dance or voice recital, a soccer game, or being the athletic trainer for the Flower Mound sports teams. Dewey even went to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs to watch Christen participate in a soccer tournament there. But he also took pride in the fact that Christen could “hang” with the guys and on occasion even outfish them. Christen and her Papa created many memories at Lake Fork and while renovating Dewey’s childhood home in Gatesville. She was his carpenter’s assistant. Boyfriends were screened with questions as to whether they could hunt or fish, and ever the protective Papa, Dewey often stated that only the very nicest guy would be worthy of his princess Christen.

Dewey’s extended family includes cousin Royce Pennington and his wife Carilyn King (sister of Aline) and their sons Zac, Art and Tim Pennington, their spouses and children; younger sister, Carol Ann Mammen and nieces Lory and Laynie and families; sister-in-law Joyce Meeks, Celeste, Stan, Sharon and Steven and their families; cousin Otis Bakke and family; cousin Eldon Surley and family; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews in Dewey’s wide circle of family.

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Robert Earl (Bob) Meeks, and his niece Lori Meeks.

Dewey graduated from Gatesville High School in 1953. Dewey was an athlete. He played football there in high school. His parents never missed any of his football games. He remembered one game was so cold there were only 2 people in all of the stands. Wrapped up in blankets were his parents to see him play. He also boxed in Golden Gloves boxing matches wining trophies and belts. He had his nose broken 3 times, both shoulders dislocated and one separated. Of course due to this anyone who camped with, or hunted with Dewey knew how loudly he snored. On through the years he loved getting together with classmates who went to school in the “red brick school house.” Once a friend of Dewey’s, you were always his friend.

Dewey continued his education by attending North Texas State University for 3 years, and, as a life-long fan, still loved to cheer for UNT’s Mean Green Eagles. He was not, however, amused when for a North Texas vs. SMU game Aline dressed little Tena in a little red coat the SMU color of her alma mater over the green outfit he had chosen for her to wear. Enthusiastic and informed, everyone loved to see a football game with Dewey.

Dewey learned to love hunting and fishing from his father. Dewey, Aline, and family and friends made wonderful memories fishing in Canada and Alaska many summers. They also enjoyed spending time at their place at Lake Fork in East Texas, fishing for black bass. Dewey was the president of the American Airlines Bass Club for many years, winning many, many trophies and prizes. Dewey taught Bradley and Christen to fish from their cove at Lake Fork.

An avid outdoorsman, Dewey also hunted. He hunted deer and turkey with friends and family. Many Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were scheduled around hunting. The “cooks” could be assured that the guys would always be home by “dark 30,” meaning that the hunters would return by thirty minutes after dark, hopefully, with deer or turkey in the back of the truck. Dewey’s favorite hunting trips included Brad and Bradley and cousins and friends, and there was as much camaraderie as there was hunting.

Dewey went to work at American Airlines on July 9, 1956 while he was still in college. He was well known around the hangers at American Airlines. He started at Amon Carter Field, helped open the American Airlines hanger at Love Field, helped open hangers at DFW Airport, and enjoyed helping to move the DC3 through the streets from DFW to the exhibit at the CR Smith Museum. He used to say he would retire when they closed DFW. Working for American Airlines allowed Aline and him the opportunity to travel the world, and they took every advantage of that privilege. Dewey loved to travel. He and Aline traveled and cruised all over the United States, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, and most of Europe and Scandinavia. Dewey and Aline were always eager to go and experience something new.

Dewey retired from American Airlines after 40 years and was very proud of his AA lapel pin with 4 diamonds, one for each 10 years of service. He wore it to church every Sunday.

Most fundamental to his life, Dewey loved the Lord. He was raised at First Baptist Church, Gatesville. Dewey was proud that he was baptized as a young boy at Pecan Grove Camp outside of Gatesville which was once pastored by a young Dr. W.A. Criswell. Dewey and Dr. Criswell visited many times about Pecan Grove. Dewey served as Sunday School Director at First Baptist Church, Dallas for many years. For years he taped the sermons on Sunday and mailed them to class members who could not attend the church service. Unselfishly conscious of the needs of others, Dewey and Aline were known to stop by to visit shut-in class members on Christmas Eve. Faithfully each Saturday evening at 5:00, Dewey began his routine of calling every active member of his Sunday School Department to tell them he was looking forward to seeing them Sunday morning at church. Concerned about the well-being of his “flock,” he kept in touch with all of the members and always asked if there was anything he could do for them. Dewey’s faith was the bedrock of his life.

Although his time on earth ended Friday night when he entered the presence of his Lord, his example as a father, grandfather, mentor, family man, steward, care-giver of many, and general director of the fun in the lives of the people he touched and the wonderful memories of those who shared his life.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Visitation for Mr. Meeks will be at 10 am, Wednesday, June 5th at the Truett Chapel of the First Baptist Church in Dallas where services will be held at 11 am. The Rev. Eric Williams and Rev. Royce Pennington will officiate and graveside services will conclude at the Mesquite Cemetery (at the intersection of Walker and Holley Park Streets - 400 Holley Park) in Mesquite at 1:30 pm.

THE CAMPUS MAP for First Baptist Church, Dallas, with Parking Garage and Service locations, will be e-mailed by the funeral home if you will call 972.242.5261 and provide your e-mail address. The parking garage designated for the visitation and service is the HORNER FAMILY CENTER AND PARKING GARAGE.

Arranged by Rhoton Funeral Home.