Danny L. Meek, 85, passed away peacefully with most of his family at his bedside on April 13, 2015 at Kindred Hospital. Even there, they will remember his sweet smile, beautiful white hair, and always wanting to hold a hand.
Funeral service will be 12 Noon, Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Floral Hills. Burial will follow. Visitation will be Friday evening 6-8PM.
He was born to Loren D. Meek and Grace Mae (Sallee) on March 30, 1930 in Devon, KS. With a job for the MO Pacific Railroad, the family, including older sister Lorna (Nadine), moved to many different section houses. One of those was in Martin City (now an antique store), and then in Dodson, when he attended Center School District. He was baptized in the First Christian Church and belonged to DeMolay. He earned his GED in 1970 (before his oldest daughter got her H.S. diploma).
Off to see the world, he joined the Navy at age 17. He would be on many destroyers, starting in Japan. While on leave, visiting relatives in Kansas City, a certain girl across the street caught his attention. While in Philadelphia, with money he originally saved for a car, he brought a beautiful wedding ring set. He was engaged to Sylvia A. Donnell and married the love of his life on June 7, 1953. They started their married adventure in Norfolk, VA. It continued to: Seal Beach, CA, San Francisco, CA, Great Lakes, IL, Chula Vista, CA, Bremerton, WA, Long Beach, CA, back to Great Lakes, IL, White Sands, NM, and East Meadow, Long Island, NY. With Danny in Chu Lai, Vietnam, Sylvia and the girls moved to South Kansas City-their first house. After 23 years of service, Danny retired on a Friday in Dec 1969. The following Monday, he started in the maintenance department of the Shawnee Mission School District. He retired from the “shop” in 1992.
He really enjoyed his retirement at the family home in Raymore, including riding “his” John Deere lawnmower. The home was center for so many family and extended family activities, including competitive croquet and Tripoly. Grandparents don’t have time for a job. There were grandkids’ functions at school, a granddaughter’s softball game, a grandson’s baseball or basketball game, a great grandson’s tee ball or basketball game, or the great granddaughter’s basketball game. You might find the couple at their monthly bank meeting or an annual Center picnic. Yearly, the couple would join other sailors with the USS Ross Association at various U.S. locations. He wouldn’t miss the November Chili lunch with the guys at the shop (SMSD-maintenance).
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 61+ years, Sylvia, of Raymore; daughters: Ann Meek and Karen Weston, of Belton; granddaughter: Melissa (Scott) Wittkopp, of Hawaii; grandsons: Matthew Weston, of Belton and Michael (McKenzie) Weston of Independence; great grandson: Sean Weston; great granddaughter: Ariel Weston of Hawaii; nephew: Donald (Debi) Rice of Chula Vista, CA; brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces.
His loving family wishes to thank the RNs, CNAs, respiratory, occupational and physical therapists and all the staff at Kindred Hospital in South Kansas City, MO for their care and compassion during his rehabilitation.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be offered at www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO, (816) 353-1218.
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