Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:00 am
June 26, 1918 - Nov. 21, 2008
Henry Meadows was born to Pearl (Heflin) and John Meadows in Las Animas, Colo. on June 26, 1918.
Due to the drought, he traveled by covered wagon with his parents, siblings and other family members to Missouri and then on to Greenland, Ark. to the family farm.
When he was 6 years old his father died, leaving Pearl to raise the family of five children. At age 11 his mother died. He then lived with a sister in Portland and later in Iowa with relatives. He attended elementary schools in Greenland, Ark., Portland and Iowa.
In 1932, Henry traveled by rail with his brothers Dave and Dan to California. He enrolled at San Juan High School in Fair Oaks, Calif. Under the leadership of his agriculture teacher, Mr. Price, he got jobs on a farm, a service station and Southern Pacific Railroad in Roseville, Calif.
He was active in the National Guard during high school and camped near San Luis Obispo. He gained the rank of Sergeant in Company D, 184th Infantry and was honorably discharged on July 25, 1938.
Having received an offer from Eng Skell Company, he moved to San Francisco. It was there he met his fiancée, Sophie Amelia Lillo. They were married June 21, 1942 at the First Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, Calif.
When hired by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, Henry said, "I'm not afraid of hard work!" He was then in charge of shipping, receiving and even payroll for a few years. He remained with H-P for 24 1/2 years.
Survivors include Sophie, sons Allen Meadows and Robert (Linda) Meadows; granddaughters Maggie Williams and Mara (Leonard) Kyger; three great-grandchildren Gavin Williams, Dominic Williams, and Ysadora Kyger and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his family, Henry enjoyed playing softball for H-P and the traffic clubs. He was active in church councils, the IOOF of Philomath, Cub and Boy Scouts.
Henry's family wishes to extend great appreciation to Dr. David Grube, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Heart of the Valley and Meals on Wheels for all the good care and support over the years.
A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25th at McHenry Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Park.