The Port Arthur News
Carriere, MS — Jerry Wesley Meeks
Jerry Wesley Meeks, 79 years old, of Carriere, MS, passed away at Slidell Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, March 9, 2010 following a long illness.
Jerry was born January 12, 1931 in Philadelphia, MS to Jesse Wayne Meeks and Eula Ann Pierce. He grew up in Rayville, LA the eighth of nine children and was taught the carpentry craft by his father.
After serving as a lineman in the Army during the Korean War, he spent most of his adult life in Southeast Texas as a building contractor and active contributor to the communities where he lived. He will be remembered on the third base sideline or in the dugout by many of the young men he coached during a period of more than twenty years from Little League to Connie Mack League to Semi-Pro Baseball. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce in Bridge City and served as its president. He was also a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the owner of Meeks Builders. Jerry enjoyed a respected reputation for building quality custom homes and commercial properties in and around the Golden Triangle area over a time spanning five decades.
He leaves a legacy of love, caring, loyalty, perseverance, strength, and willingness to face challenges. He will be missed by many, but his life has provided many colorful stories to recall and retell. His memory will provide comfort and serve as an example of hope.
He is survived by his wife Lorrize Meeks of Carriere, MS, and children Connie Meeks and her husband James McDaniel of Jonesboro, AR, Jerry Wayne Meeks and his wife Cathy Meeks of Hamshire, TX, Carol Leone and her husband Louie Leone of Bridge City, TX, Pat Meeks and his wife Angie Meeks of Bridge City, TX, stepson Clarence Lick, Jr. and his wife Renee of Waveland, MS, and stepdaughter Vannessa Dahn also of Waveland, MS. Other survivors include his grandchildren Joran Meeks, Wesley Meeks, Tony Lute, Rebecca Frederick, Marisa Oliver, Jason Stringer, Joey Stringer, Jeff Stringer, Phillip Meeks, Piper Meeks, Josh Stringer, Jaime Stringer, John McDaniel, Patrick McDaniel, Tesha Riley, and Ryan Davis. Great-grandchildren Skyler Lowery, Destiny Mann, Kayleigh Lute, Grace Sample, Lacey Meeks, Gavin Stringer, Austin and Brayden Frederick, Morgan Riley, and Charles Riley. He leaves his sister Inez Balsters and his brother Joe Meeks.
He is predeceased by his parents Jesse Wayne and Eula Ann Meeks and siblings Paschal “Pat” Meeks, Mavis Fortenberry, Eva Norwood, Sarah Hale, IsaJean Hale, and Ida Wayne Middleton.
A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, March 12, 2010 from 5-8 PM at Broussard’s in Nederland, TX.
The funeral service will be Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2 PM at Broussard’s with Rev. Jeff Anderson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, TX.
Pall bearers will be Keith Hale, Dickey Meeks, Doug Frederick, Joran Meeks, Wes Meeks and Tony Lute with honorary pall bearers Harold Henderson, Clarence Lick Jr., Louie Leone and James McDaniel.
