Fred Meier

MEIER, Fred, was lifted home at the age of 93 by his Lord Jesus Christ's sweet whisper, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," on September 24, 2008. Fred was an adoring husband, loving and compassionate father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a kind-hearted, caring friend. He was born John Schroeder November 16, 1914 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and resided in the Children's Home until his adoption in 1922 by John and Mary Meier. As a young man he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in California and Idaho. He eventually took classes at the University of Cincinnati and University of Dayton. He married Emma Ann Templeton in 1942, who preceded him in death in 1996 after 54 years of marriage. He loved his country and served in the Army Air Force during WWII. Following the war, his daughter, Barbara Ann, was born, and he went to work for the United States Department of Defense at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, and later at Cameron Station in Arlington, Virginia, from which he retired. Fred trusted his life to Jesus Christ as a young man and spent the remainder of his life serving Him. Until he died, he was an active member of the Gideon's International and Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. During his life he was a church member, Sunday school teacher, youth worker, jail and prison Bible study leader, choir member, usher, counselor and lay minister. He was an active member of Grove Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. He was an encouragement to everyone with whom he came in contact. Fred took every opportunity to share God's love and his faith in Jesus Christ wherever he went. He particularly loved his daily lunches at Arby's with his friends, Phil, Pam, and others, and did not miss opportunities to share God's love there as well. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and at age 91 published a book entitled Understanding the Times, a guide to understanding Biblical prophecy as it relates to our times. He leaves behind a legacy of faith and love to his family and friends who rejoice that he is walking beside his beloved Friend and Savior. He is survived and cherished by his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and John Baranowski; granddaughters, Lori Boggs and Emily Ditmore; and sons-in-law, Parker Boggs and Justin Ditmore; great-grandchildren, Brennan and Abbey Boggs and Andrew and Ashley Ditmore; and a multitude of caring friends. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd., where viewing will be Friday, September 26, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Interment 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grove Avenue Baptist Church, 8701 Ridge Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.