Neil Franklin Meador, age 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, April 7th, 2022, at Promedica Skilled Nursing in Fort Myers, Florida.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 101 Main St., in Sweet Springs, Missouri, followed by a graveside service and burial at Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home, 204 Ruby St. in Sweet Springs. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Neil was born on September 19th, 1938, at home on the farm in rural Sweet Springs, MO, to Orman “Benny” Meador and Ester Louis Fajen Meador, the youngest of two children. He graduated from Sweet Springs High School in 1956. He married Joyce Alleen Schumacher on August 31, 1958 and she joined him in Columbia where he was an undergraduate at the University of Missouri. Their first child, Michael, was born there in Columbia as he finished his undergraduate degree. Their second child Kelly was born in Blacksburg, Virginia where he was pursuing his Master’s degree at Virginia Tech. He got his Doctorate from Michigan State in East Lansing in Agricultural Engineering then moved back to the University of Missouri in Columbia to write and teach. He ended his career as the Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Engineering retiring in 2000.
Neil was an eternal fall optimist for his beloved Mizzou Tigers Football. Homecoming at the Meador house was a Sweet Springs Fall Festival in Columbia. A season ticket holder for decades, he followed Mizzou basketball as well.
He held multiple positions at Campus Lutheran Church including elder and president, and was also a frequent tennis opponent of the Pastor, Kenneth Frerking. He bowled for years with his wife in a mixed doubles league, and with a group from work in the school league.
He is survived by daughter Kelly, Son Michael (Kimberly), grandchildren Mackenzie and Andrew, as well as several nieces and nephews.
His various philanthropies and charities include wetlands and water conservation, wounded warriors, Scouts BSA, and there is a UMC scholarship for the Ag Engineering department in his name.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Special Olympics in Jefferson City Missouri. Donate in Neil’s name, and we will have matching funds. https://somo.org/.