Larry Meadows Obituary

76, died in Tonganoxie, Kansas, on July 21, 2018. He was born May 11, 1942, in Caraway, Arkansas, the son of George and Bertha Meadows. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Tonganoxie High School Performing Arts Center, 404 E 24-40 HWY, Tonganoxie. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery. On Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the family will greet visitors at the Tonganoxie VFW Post 9271, 910 E 1st St, Tonganoxie.

Larry grew up in Caraway, Arkansas, and graduated from high school in 1960. It was in Caraway that he met Lois Jewell Ward, his future wife. Larry soon moved to Kansas to begin a career in construction, working on missile sites. During this time, he and Lois corresponded, and on Oct. 5, 1962, Larry and Lois were married in Leachville, Arkansas.

In 1966, Larry joined the U.S. Army Reserve unit in Kansas City, Kansas. Two years later, the unit was activated. In 1968 and 1969, Larry served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

He continued working in construction for other contractors, and in 1977, he and Lois started Meadows Construction, a heavy construction company that they owned and operated for 28 years. During this time, the company completed numerous projects throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

In doing so, Larry worked on projects to improve the community, such as the task force to widen U.S. Highway 24-40 from two lanes to four lanes from the Wyandotte County line through Tonganoxie. He also was active in economic development to draw businesses into the community. He served on both the Leavenworth County Planning Commission and the Tonganoxie Planning Commission. He also was a member of the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce.

Larry was a charter member of VFW Post 9271 and served in many capacities, such as post and district commander; state budget and finance committee and state department trustee. He also was a member of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs, appointed by the governor of Kansas.

One of the projects he was most passionate about was the development of the VFW Park in Tonganoxie. When property owned by Merle and Gracie Reusch became available, Larry and Lois purchased the land and donated it to the Tonganoxie VFW With the help of the Tonganoxie community, the property was transformed into a beautiful park that is enjoyed by area residents. The property also now includes the VFW post home.

Larry led a letter-writing campaign to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Tonganoxie. With the help of the community, this goal was achieved, and in 1996, the wall was erected in the VFW Park. Three years later, in 1999, the wall returned to the park to again be viewed by residents of Tonganoxie, surrounding communities and the public at large.

In November 1999, Larry and Lois's oldest daughter, Lori, died. The following year, the couple helped build Tonganoxie's Chieftain Park, and Larry was happy to install a walking trail around the park. This trail is now known as "Lori's Path."

Through the years, Larry spent many hours working on school facilities for USD 464. His projects included work on the football field, drainage projects, the press box and concrete for the bleachers, along with the installation of a new track in 1998.

Along with his many duties, Larry was chairman of the board of Maple Grove Cemetery and was instrumental in major improvements to the cemetery. He also served 12 years on the board of trustees of Leavenworth Jefferson Electric Cooperative, now named Free State Electric Cooperative.

He also volunteered as an official for many years at KU track meets and officiated at several KU Relay events. He was awarded many plaques and certificates for these activities.

Through the end of his life, Larry continued to dream of projects that would make Tonganoxie a better place to live.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Meadows Copley, in 1999; his father and mother; a sister, Wilma Meadows Jones; and a brother, J.W. Meadows.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Meadows, of the home; daughter, LeAnn Bond and her husband, Matt Bond; granddaughter, Mia Bond; grandsons, Dallas and Drew Bond, all of Tonganoxie; brothers, Cary Meadows of Boynton, Oklahoma, and Garry Meadows of Brookland, Arkansas; sisters, Emma Lindley of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Marlene Sullivan of Simpson, Illinois, and Brenda Pickett of Ravenden, Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews.

Quisenberry Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to VFW Post 9271, or to the USD 464 Track and Field program, both in care of the funeral home, 604 E 4th St., Tonganoxie, KS 66086. Condolences may be left for the family at www.QuisenberryFH.com .