John Meade

To ALL of John Meade's family ... Mr Meade was my band teacher at Sullivan West High School of Kingsport, Tenn, during the 1970's. He was so skilled in every instrument possible and he was so persistent & diligent in teaching hundreds of us over all his years everything from reading music to counting time to learning how to play every note possible with an instrument and to try any & every instrument he could get for us until he found just the right one to fit each band member's abilities, & then, all the more work with everyone on how to march in orderly organized formations & complex field programs plus how to seasonally perform as a proper well rehearsed orchestra ... so so many work responsibilities & really long hours and lots of road trips and band camps too ... and he did it all with great devotion and without complaint. Thanks to John Meade we all got the beautiful gift of music for our lifetimes, and, the greater gift of confidence in our abilities to learn & do anything we dreamed of in life. From him I learned the french horn and eventually became Drum Major and became a confident person and straight A student, who like others in the band went on to college and many life accomplishments. I became a woman cop over 40 years ago when such was rare and eventually a lawyer with a Doctoral Degree plus a 20 year military career I honorably retired from. And, I've often thought of Mr Meade and how I saw myself and many others blossom in high school once he got ahold of us with dedication and disciplined work he taught us all and he left room for fun and laughter too, so we grew in self accomplishment and school & band pride and a lifetime of good friends, and, all because one man John Meade was that dedicated and giving to us all ... and because he had a wonderful wife and kids who supported him and let him give so much of his time and self to us!! Thank you Mr John Meade and Thank you to all his family too! With much respect & appreciation, Patty Teague (SWHS Class of '76)

To ALL of John Meade's family ... Mr Meade was my band teacher at Sullivan West High School of Kingsport, Tenn, during the 1970's. He was so skilled in every instrument possible and he was so persistent & diligent in teaching hundreds of us over all his years everything from reading music to counting time to learning how to play every note possible with an instrument and to try any & every instrument he could get for us until he found just the right one to fit each band member's abilities, & then, all the more work with everyone on how to march in orderly organized formations & complex field programs plus how to seasonally perform as a proper well rehearsed orchestra ... so so many work responsibilities & really long hours and lots of road trips and band camps too ... and he did it all with great devotion and without complaint. Thanks to John Meade we all got the beautiful gift of music for our lifetimes, and, the greater gift of confidence in our abilities to learn & do anything we dreamed of in life. From him I learned the french horn and eventually became Drum Major and became a confident person and straight A student, who like others in the band went on to college and many life accomplishments. I became a woman cop over 40 years ago when such was rare and eventually a lawyer with a Doctoral Degree plus a 20 year military career I honorably retired from. And, I've often thought of Mr Meade and how I saw myself and many others blossom in high school once he got ahold of us with dedication and disciplined work he taught us all and he left room for fun and laughter too, so we grew in self accomplishment and school & band pride and a lifetime of good friends, and, all because one man John Meade was that dedicated and giving to us all ... and because he had a wonderful wife and kids who supported him and let him give so much of his time and self to us!! Thank you Mr John Meade and Thank you to all his family too! With much respect & appreciation, Patty Teague (SWHS Class of '76)

i went to school with john and he was a good friend and a great guy. i lost contact with him after school and had hope to get to see him sometime, but never know where he was. we did a lot of crazy things in school that his mom got after us for but, we survived. he will be missed. ira phillip nash at honaker va

John's family,we have you in our prayers and our thoughts. May God bless
and be with each and every one.I went to school with John-great person.
Wayne and Jeanette Lockhart
Williamsburg, Virginia

DONNA THINKING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS..I AM IN S.C. I PRAY GOD WILL SUPPLY YOUR EVERY NEED...
BILLIE CONLEY

Donna and family,
Tom and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you with John's passing. Since we are in Florida right now,we are sorry we can't visit, but you are in our thoughts and prayers right now. Praying that the love,comfort,grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ will meet you.
Tom and Evelyn VanDyke

Donna, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May God bless and comfort you during this time.

Donna and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I want us to try to get together soon. I will always remember the love and kindness you have shown throughtout the years.
Love and prayers,
Joyce and David

Donna and Family
I truly am sorry for your loss.
We pray that God will give you comfort and strength through the hard and difficult times.

Love In Christ
Donetta & Mick Bostic

Donna, Patrick, and Andrea, We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. I know we have not seen each other in years, but we think of you often. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

My sincere sympathy to John's family. I was in the band at Honaker during the same time which seems like centuries ago. Honaker is a small town and everyone knew everyone, so, when a hometown friend passes...it is sad. My you each find comfort during this time of loss.