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Bryant A. Meeks

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Sarasota High School Mercer University University of Georgia University of South Carolina

Bryant Meeks Obituary

Meeks, Bryant A.
Jan 16, 1926 - May 30, 2007

Bryant A. Meeks, 81, Dublin, Ga., formerly of Sarasota, died May 30, 2007.
Services will be private. Harts Mortuary, Macon, Ga., handled arrangements.
Survivors include a son, Randy A. of Sarasota;
a daughter, Trudy Silverstein (Barry) of Sarasota; a brother, William E. (Mary) of Dublin, Ga.; grandchildren Jake Silverstein and Mollie Silverstein; nieces Denise Alford of Dublin, Ga., and Patty Woodard (John) of Dexter, Ga.; a nephew, Billy Meeks, and his wife, Bernadette, who was a special caregiver, of Dublin; several great-nieces and great-nephews
Mr. Meeks, son of the late Bryant Adams Meeks Sr. and the late Lola Alderman Meeks, was predeceased by his wife, Jaqueline Griffis Meeks, and by his son, Michael Bryant Meeks. He was a 1943 graduate of Lanier High School where he was active in athletics. He played football at the University of Georgia in 1943, and from 1944 until 1946 participated in the Navy V-12 program while attending the University of South Carolina and Mercer University. He also played football at the University of South Carolina and was selected to the All American second team, graduating in 1947. From 1947 until 1948, Mr. Meeks played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and from 1949 until 1954, he coached at Sarasota High School.
He was associated with LP Gas Company and Allied Chemical and United Inns in Memphis, Tennessee, and owned and managed several businesses in Sarasota. He was selected as a member of the University of South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the University of South Carolina All Century Football Team, and Macon Sports Hall of Fame. He was an active member and supporter of Kiwanis and the YMCA in Sarasota, Fla.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald Tribune on Jun. 1, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Bryant Meeks

18 Entries

R. Scott Thompson

July 17, 2024

Bryant was larger than life. A role model. A life coach. Loved playing racquetball doubles with him lumbering around the court.

JIm Kane

June 8, 2007

I remember bryant from the ymca, he tought me how to play racquet ball, he loved the game and always had time to play with and teach us novices how to play. a real great guy,who will be missed
JIM KANE
Murraysville W.V.

Dick Matson

June 8, 2007

I'm sorry I can't be at the Y on June 15th. There'll be a room full of quality people, that's for sure. These are the people that gravitated toward Bryant, a born leader who cared for all his friends and acquaintances as well as for the whole community. Knowing him has been a big bonus in my life. He was a person to emulate.

Alec Vance

June 7, 2007

I was too young to have played for Coach Meeks. My brother David did.But, I was fortunate enough to watch him play professional football in Pittsbourgh. My family lived in Western Pennsylvania until 1949. To my mother's great joy Coach Meeks came to SHS that same year. We watched many SHS games and I was in awe to meet Coach Meeks. At the grand reunion a few years ago my brother Jim, my sister Litty and I got to talk to Coach Meeks and he reminded us that when he left SHS our mother had written him a warm note which he still had. He was a good man.

David Vance (Class of '54)

June 7, 2007

Even today, I think of the many positive influences Mr. Meeks had on my life. He was a role model to many athletes at Sarasota High School, and it appears after reading other entries in this guest book, that his influence continued for many years beyond his tenure at SHS.
A great man!

Brenda Esser

June 6, 2007

Our family thought the world of Bryant and know that he will truly be missed by many.

Michael Cohn

June 5, 2007

Bryant, You will be missed by many of us here in Sarasota. As one of your golfing buddies at Gator Creek, I was fortunate to share many wonderful moments with you...one of the most memorable was the excitement you had when I scored my first hole in one on # 8, back on July 22, 1991. You, Jerry Wyatt and Dick Matson jumped as high as I did when the ball went in the hole.

You typified the sportsman, highly competitive, always grinding, and desiring to win...but most gracious in the sharing of others successes.

Fondly I think of the grand master bar-b-quer, trusty pen knife in hand....with your buddy Jack Heritage, cooking up 100+ steaks at each and every Gator Day. David Mitchell and I were given a special status when you offered a chunk of the test steak for our approval.

Rest in Peace, my friend, and I pray that you are able to get four a side from your new golfing buddies.

Mike Z. Cohn

Bob Cramer

June 2, 2007

As a member of the 55' Sailors we had the dubious honor of being Coach's least sucessful team. He often refered to us as a"challange".We knew what that meant.
To a player in the 50's,Coach was indeed larger than life.His size and zeal were at times were overwhelming. We called him"Bryant The Giant"! He liked that!
He invented a game called"Meeks Mass Murder'!!!We played it when our practice habits were called into question.Coach didn't know we actually enjoyed it.
In my lifetime I've had three heros...My Dad,Norman Cramer,Arnold Palmer and Coach Meeks.Coach is in some pretty good company.
He was a man of great character,honesty,humor and most of all,humanity. I am honored to have know him.

Anne Gauldin - Hayes

June 1, 2007

Bryant was a wonderful friend to my Dad (Bill Gauldin) for many years...He will be truly missed ! Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and other friends.

Jane Nelson

June 1, 2007

A good and faithful friend through many years. I will miss your laugh, your cooking & recipes and sharing with you the memories that you have with Dick and me.

Susan and Meghan Dooley

June 1, 2007

God rest his soul in peace.

Ron Lay

June 1, 2007

An adventurer, a mentor, a quality man, and a great Friend! I will miss him.

Roger Hettema

June 1, 2007

Bryant Meeks was a friend, mentor and confidant. In other words, a second father to me. Not only did he introduce me to his friendship but through him I established other very strong and lasting friends. He positively affected my life in many ways, I shall miss him but am comforted to know he is reunited with his beloved Jackie. His spirit will always be with me particularly as I troll the lakes of Canada.

As we are preparing to honor Bryant's life with a party at the YMCA, the outpouring of support and people pitching in to help just shows the impact he had on people.

Bryant commented to me many times about the people he met in life and his favorite expression was "He was a Quality Man!" Well I am here to testify today that it was Bryant who was the "Quality Man!"

Please keep Bryant's spirit with you in the days to come.

Please also join us in celebrating Bryant's life on Friday June 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Kari Brooks Teen Center at the Euclid Branch of the Sarasota YMCA, 1075 Euclid Avenue, Sarasota

jon may

June 1, 2007

To Randy and the family- my condolences.

Carol Pagan

June 1, 2007

My thoughts are with Bryant's family and friends. He will be remembered by many, many people..... May he rest in peace together with Jackie, his beloved wife!

Cherie Wren

June 1, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Meeks family. It is a comfort to know he is with his beloved Jackie. He is probably sitting in a boat with a fishing pole in his hand or taking photographs of some breathtaking landscape, or maybe a round barn. He was my employer, mentor and friend and there will be none like him.

Jim Tollerton

June 1, 2007

My sympathies to your family. Bryant was was a classy, quality guy who was always kind to me. He did alot for the community and it's people. God Rest his Soul.

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