I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Tom in the Lane County District Attorneys Office.  He was a fabulous prosecutor, trial lawyer and skiing companion.  Tom was always ramrod straight and a by-the-book Drill Sgt type guy on everything.  I recall one weekend we went skiing at Hoodoo and they had received a huge dump of powdery snow and as the lift started Tom was thrown head first over the edge into the snow.  At first we laughed and then furiously pulled him out.  He was amazingly gracious about the whole fiasco but kidded nevertheless.  I will always miss Tom
Darryl Larson,
Sr. Judge

The time is growing closer to July 26th the day one year ago Tom ended his journey here on Earth. We know he is in a wonderful place and feeling better than he has ever felt. Since Tom's passing his Father Tom Meehan Sr. has joined him in Heaven. This has been a difficult year for our family. We have all coped with our loss in different ways and we each seem to be handling life in a way that Thomas III describes as a "new normal". We think about Tom every day, and we always try to think of the good times but when the sad times hit us we re-read the messages you put in Tom's Guest Book and it really lends us the support we need to go another day. Through your good wishes, prayers and the strength that God has given each of us we know we are not facing our loss alone. Your words have, so many times, given us the strength we have needed. We also know that one day we will all be together again and Tom will be waiting for each of us. We have made it through the challenges of this year and it is time for this Guest Book to close. We thank each of you for your heartfelt entries and support and only ask that you always keep Tom in your memories and your hearts.
Frances, Thomas III, Patrick Sr.(Ed), Arianne and Parick Jr.

In addition to my message which follows this message,I would like to add contact information if any of you would like to contact our family personally.

Thank you again
Frances Meehan

I want to thank each of you that has left a message on the guest book in remembrance of Tom. I don't have the majority of your addresses or emails so the best I can do is hope you check this site at least one more time and know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart and so do all the members of our family. It meant the world to us to hear your memories and praises of a man that we love with all our heart and will miss dearly until we are together again.  Thank you all again so very very much.

Mrs. Meehan and Family:

I wish I could share the many experiences I had with Tom as a Dep. DA in Eugene. Truly a fine man and excellent prosecutor. May your family be blessed with tranquility and eternal love. My wife and I have you in our prayers.

God Bless:
Verne & Linda Hoyer

Frances and Family:  I would like to express my condolences to your family.  I personally have many many fond memories of your husband and father when he was a Deputy DA in Lane County.  He was very serious about his profession, but he also had a great sense of humor.Tom was always proud of his brevity in Motions to Suppress. Tom could nail an argument in two paragraphs, whereas it took less experienced prosecutors several pages. Tom and I always had a good laugh about that. He was always the consummate professional and I truly valued my friendship with him.
However, the most important conversations were about how much he respected and loved you and his family. As much as he loved his job, it was apparent to all of us who worked with Tom, that you and his family were the real anchor in his life and the true source of his happiness.

I wish you all the best.
Kelly Horton

Frances,

I have so many fond memories of you and Tom while you were in Eugene.  My fist and only ride in a Cobra is something I still brag about.  I am so very sorry for your loss.  Even though we haven't stayed in contact, I often think of you and your family with fondness.  

Love and prayers,
Nancy (Allen) Cline

I was privileged to know Tom when he was a young deputy DA and I was a young criminal defense attorney.  Tom was unfailingly professional with the highest integrity I have ever seen.  Beginning 4-1-1974 I began my second career as a trial court judge adn am now retired comp;letely.

Tom and I once struck a "deal" in which my client was going to p;lead guilty to a drug sale and would be recommended for probation in return for his cooperation with Tom and his drug investiator.  At the sentencing hearing, Tom made a better "pitch" for my client than I did and I was deeply impressed by that.  On another occasion, I had filed a motion to suppress evidence, the issue being my client's mental status when he gave "consent" to search.  After a lengthy hearing, Tom abruptly stood up and said, "Judge, the State concedes the motion."  Total integrity.

Not in my eight years as a lawyer or 37 years as a judge did I ever see any lawyer with as much professionalism and integrity as Tom Meehan.

Tom always spole, often, of Frances in reverentially devoted tones.  He was obviously happy in that marriage to the depths of his soul.

I am saddened at Tom's passing and hope he had a relationship with The Savior by the time of his passing.  Tom is one of the few of whom it can truly be said on his passing that a giant has fallen.

Bryan T. Hodges
Senior Judge, Oregon
bryanhodges@comcast.net

To the Meehan Family.  
My condolences, the world lost a great man. Tom was a Special Prosecutor for our Major Crime Team in Eugene, Oregon, which I was an undercover detective assigned to that unit. I never met a better prosecutor or Assistant District Attorney more committed to protecting our community. I fondly remember the times when I would stop by at night and talk to Tom, at his house, play with the kids, and talk about our upcoming trials. Even though I haven't kept in contact with Tom, I thought about him often, and I pictured him cleaning up the state of Texas. My prayers are with you Frances, and the boys, and your beautiful grandkids.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I met Mr. Meehan at the CZ Antioch mill, my father was a supervisor on the number one paper machine. My father said Mr. Meehan would go far, looking at Mr. Meehan accomplishment I think my Dad made an understatement. I do remember he had some great stories to tell to a twelve year old kid.

I am very sorry to hear about Tom's passing.  I became a police officer in Eugene, Oregon in 1969 and met Tom when he went to work as a prosecutor for J.Pat Horton at the Lane county District Attorney's office.  In my nearly thirty years of law enforcement experience I never met a more commited and intense criminal prosecutor.  

While assigned as a member of what was then the Major Crime Team, an undercover unit addressing burglary/stolen property transfers and as you might have guessed, heroin trade problems, Tom was assigned to handle all of our investigations that resulted in arrests.  Many of those arrested were so-called pillars of the community and retained high-profile expensive attorneys. Tom prosecuted all of our cases and only rarely, and I do mean rarely, was there ever a plea bargain...He hated them and believed criminals should actually be held accountable for their actions.  

Tom was always had voracious appetite for the field work of street cops and it was obvious from day one.

I will never forget the day an escaped convicted cop-killer, Carl Cletus Bowles engaged some FBI agents in an armed shootout in a south Eugene neighborhood and once again escaped custody running at-large in one of our south Eugene neighborhoods.  I was an initially responding unit and very quickly the area was subject to a massive police search operation.  After receiving my assignment and driving to the area of responsibility, I was called back to the command post for a ocntact.  It was Tom.  He jumped in my patrol car, confirmed that he was armed at the time and said he couldn't stand to be in his office while such an operation was underway as he might miss out on the action.  Tom was always running at 100 MPH no matter what the challenge.

No one before or since has left the level of impression on me that Tom Meehan did and believe me, I am not easily impressed.

I never saw or spoke with Tom again once he headed for Texas but it is obvious he never changed and never sacrificed his principles throughout his life...His example is one we should all strive to follow....

Tom Brett      EPD 1969-1997
               LCSO 1997-2000

Francis, Thomas and Patrick,
We are so sorry to hear about Tom passing away. He was a great guy and wonderful neighbor when you all lived next door to us in Eugene. Me, the worn out salty street cop and Tom the very sharp and sharp witted DA telling sea stories over the fence. Stampos. We still find them in drawers. The driveway fire across the street. Good memories. Tom was a man and a good one at that. He will be missed by those who knew him and whose lives he touched.
God Bless your entire family
Bill and Grayce Barren

My condolences go out to Tom's family.  I was in the same class as Tom at Carthage Central, with us graduating together in 1960.  My step-father, Jim Murtha was a dear friend of Tom's father, both being empoyees of Crown Zellerbach.  We all have had fondness and respect for the Meehan family.  Your family has a lot to be proud of and must have a lot of good memories. Peace be with you all.

I had the great privilege of serving with Tom Meehan in the Lane Co. DA’s office. It has been reported that during those years we had perhaps the finest group of prosecutors every assembled in one office.
That is evidenced by careers that nearly all of them followed in the ensuing years. Many went on to become Judges, elected District Attorneys, and high-ranking US Attorneys.
Tom Meehan epitomized that commitment to his profession as he gained great professional stature as the years went by.
All of us who worked with Tom have countless memories of his outstanding trial abilities, his wide variety of interests outside the office, his love for Francis and his family, his wonderful smile and dry humor, and his camaraderie and loyalty to those with whom he served.
We all will carry those memories with us, together with our love and admiration for Tom and the exemplary life he lived.

I have nothing but good memories and respect for Tom. I had the pleasure of being interviewed by him when I applied for a job as an Asst. DA in Lane Co. and worked with and against him over the years. He was an excellent attorney and a great person to be around. He had a dry sense of humor and would regularly get folks laughing.
Frances: my thoughts are with you. Should you ever get to Petersburg Alaska, where I have retired, feel free to call.

I was a friend of Tom's when we were young, we were on the Carthage Wrestling Team 1958-1959. He was a fine young man and I am very sorry for your loss.

A DA Investigator when Tom was Assistant District Attorney in Eugene, I am devastated to learn of his passing. He was highly  intelligent with exceptional character and integrity.

My heartfelt condolences to the Meehan family and friends. Tom will always live in my heart as I know he will in yours.

I was very sad to hear of Tom's passing.  He defined the character of the Lane County DA's office during his tenure there and was one of the reasons that working at the DA's Office was a great experience.  Tom was a bright light and and a wonderful teacher.  I'll miss him.

Deepest condolences, Frances & kids.  I remember fondly our days together in the DA's office in Eugene, & spent many an hour in Tom's office seeking his sound advice & bouncing ideas around. He was a mentor to a generation of young prosecutors -- a true raconteur with widely varied interests & talents.  I still regret hearing that he'd reconsidered after all, & wouldn't be leaving Houston to join us in the USAO in St. Croix.

As a young DDA in Eugene in 1976, Tom professionalism and character had such an impact on me that he is one of the reasons I am still a prosecutor today.  A warrior has fallen, and we honor him.  AUSA Frank Papagni, Eugene, Oregon

Tom always had such a special demeanor and smart remarks to everything, I really enjoyed and looked forward to working with him while at rehab.  He will be dearly missed by everyone that had the privilege of meeting him.  I am saddened and send prayers to your family, that God wrap his arms around you during this time.

With Love Carmen Jimenez, 
Burleigh Pulmunary and Rehab

Dear Frances, Thomas, Ed and family: I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is saddened. Mr. Meehan was such a wonderful man and his spirit will live on forever. I wish you all love and comfort from your familiy, friends and God. God promises to never leave us - Mr. Meehan is with God now watching over everyone (free of pain). You all are in my prayers. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

With love - Angel

My sincerest condolences to the Meehan family.  I am so sorry for your loss. Diana Shelby

Tom was a dear friend and I looked forward to our rehab sessions at Burleigh. We shared many stories and many, many laughs.

I miss him and will remember his smile forever.

May God bless him and enjoy his company.

Francis I am so sorry that Tom had to leave us, we miss him at the rehab.  The patients really enjoyed the time he was here with them...especially when he bossed me around or made fun of the exercises we wanted him to do.  Our prayers are with you and your family during this time...I also hope that he joins the angels that passed before him from my group...to watch over me and keep us in line.

With love Burleigh Pulmonary & Rehab

We hope that you and your family will feel the Lord's comfort at this sad time. Know that he is happy, at peace and in no more pain.

Dear Frances & family,  I always admired the devotion Tom, you & your children have for one another.  He spent many a morning talking about all of you, he would light up the whole time. Family mattered more than anything. He was truly a very caring man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Don and I offer our love and deepest sympathy during this difficult time. we love you Francis.

My deepest sympathy to the Meehan Family. Frances, I am so sorry for your loss. I'm thinking of you. Leigh Ann Kretschmar

Frances
Wendy passed along your e-mail.  I am so sorry for your loss.
Anne (Polglase) Herrewig

I can't say enough good things about Tom. Though we were on the opposite sides in our work, he was always honest, fair, and a pleasure to deal with. He was genuinely a good man.

May your precious memories bring you peace and comfort in the days to come.  No words can ease your heavy hearts at this time but know that we love and care about all of you.

Our thoughts, our prayers and our hearts are with the Meehan family.

Tom was passionate about everything - his work, his cars, and especially his family.  We're going to miss him.

I enjoyed every moment working with Tom. He had a sense of your humor like no one I've ever known.  He has been missed since he retired and he will certainly be missed since departing this world.  But Tom will never be forgotten!  My prayers are with the Meehan family has they travel the road ahead.

Tom will be truly missed by all. When I was a student with the U.S. Attorneys office, Tom helped me to pass my Accounting class because I have so much trouble with math. He took time out of his busy schedule at work to help me whenever I couldnt figure out my homework and cheered me on when I passed every test.  if it wasnt for him, I doubt I would have past the class. Thank you Tom!

Dear Mrs. Meehan & Family,

I am so deeply sorry for your loss, my heart breaks for you all.  I have so many fond memories of Mr. Meehan through the years, he was a wonderful man with such a big heart.  His compassion for animals let me know from day one that he was my kind of guy!  Those who touch our lives stay in our hearts forever... All of my love, thoughts, prayers and condolences to your family.

He was a sweet man.  He will definitely be missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with you Frances and the Meehan family.

Although I never met Tom, I have heard so many wonderful things about him from by far, one of the most amazing people I have ever known, Frances.  My heart goes out to you and your family during this sad time.  I know he will be greatly missed.

OBITUARY

Thomas I. Meehan, Jr.

1 July, 1942 – 26 July, 2011

Brookside Funeral Home - Champions

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