Michael David Meeker

1947 - 2023

Meeker, Michael David

June 13, 1947 - January 31, 2023

Hail to the brightest Star of all Clear its radiance shine

Carolina priceless gem, Receive all praises thine.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of a great man, father, husband, grandfather and loyal son of North Carolina. Michael David Meeker "Mike" passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the age of 76. Mike was born on June 13, 1947, in Asheville, North Carolina, to Paul and Edna Meeker. He was their only child and grew up in a home of immense love and high expectations. His father was a successful entrepreneur who never met a stranger, ultimately owning a successful car dealership in Asheville. His mother was the salutatorian of her high school class and became a constant source of encouragement for her son, instilling the need for appropriate conduct and accountability.

As a small child, Mike grew up in the backroom of his parents' grocery store until they purchased a modest home right in front of the Asheville Boarding School. A neighbor, who was also faculty of the school, noticed how bright and capable young Mike was and offered to provide a scholarship at the prestigious school. Mike was a very shy and introverted student, but he excelled in his academics and was awarded entry to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned both a Bachelors and Juris Doctor degree. While at UNC, he pledged and was a lifelong brother of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. To say Mike was passionate about his alma mater is putting it mildly as the shy boy became a true Tarheel man and great representative of the University. Here he cultivated a network of lifelong friends who he would meet with year after year for football games back on campus at Chapel Hill. He was such an avid Carolina basketball fan that he would record the games only to watch if he knew the Tarheels had won the game.

After graduating from law school, Mike started a family and moved to Greensboro for a job opportunity at Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard Law Firm. The focus of his practice was on construction law and complex commercial litigation. He practiced with the same firm for his entire career, first as an equity partner and then of counsel. Mike won a number of $1+ million judgments and arbitration awards throughout the Southeast, including the largest monetary judgment in a North Carolina construction case ever awarded and paid at that time. He has been recognized by his peers multiple times for inclusion in Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in Construction Law (2005-2006, 2009, 2011).

During a chance meeting at lunch with a mutual friend, Mike met the love of his life, Connie Brantley. He said it was love at first sight and the two were married in 1996. He continued his 46-year successful career until 2019, when he decided to retire to focus on the things he enjoyed most in life including cooking, travelling, photography and spending time with his family. He split his time between Greensboro and a mountain home he masterfully renovated in Roaring Gap, NC. He will be greatly cherished and missed by his family and friends.

Mike is survived by, Connie Meeker of Greensboro; sons, Michael A. Meeker (Raquel) and Mark C. Meeker (Emily) of Charlotte; grandchildren Aidan, Hudson, Gavin, Hunter and Hayden; stepdaughter, Lauren Ritch of Raleigh; cousin, Faye Odum (husband, Everette) of Savannah, Ga.; and numerous cousins in the Asheville area and elsewhere.

A visitation will be held at the Forbis and Dick Funeral Service at 1118 N Elm Street in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday, February 11, from 1 until 2:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service starting at 2:30 pm in the funeral home chapel until 3:15 p.m. The service will be followed by a celebration of life at his Greensboro home beginning at 3:30 p.m. The online memorial and guest register is available at www.forbisanddick.com

Forbis and Dick, N. Elm Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.