John Robert "Jack" Meachem

John R. Meachem
John Robert Meachem, 96, a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 1, 2026. Husband of the late Mary (nee Powers) whom he married on August 24, 1958, and son of the late Kenneth I. Meachem and Emmaretta L. (nee McLea). He is survived by his sister, Ruth Van Vorst Powers; his children, Matthew Meachem (Mary), Kevin Meachem (Laura), Elizabeth Colborn (Timothy), and Mark Meachem (Connie); also survived by his eleven grandchildren, Abigail (Sam), Katherine (John), Erin, Veronica, Rachel, Riley, Elizabeth, Callahan (Brooke), Liam, Aidan, and Finn and his three great-grandchildren Conall, Declan, and Eamon.
A lifelong resident of Schenectady, he attended Mont Pleasant High School Class of 1947, where he ran track and cross country and was senior class president. He attended American Academy of Mortuary Science from 1947 to 1950 and he apprenticed and worked at Griswold's Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
He joined the Air National Guard in October of 1950. He went to Marana Air Base in Arizona for jet pilot training. He graduated from Williams Air Force Base as a jet pilot and then from Craig Air Force Base as a pilot instructor. In 1958, he bought M's Diner on State Street in Schenectady with his mother, which they ran for ten years. He was a pilot for the Schenectady 109th Air National Guard and later became First Safety Officer. He attended several courses at University of Southern California, University of Illinois, and Pasadena, Texas. He flew the following planes: T-28, T-6, T-33, F-94, F-86, P-51, C-47, and he also flew transport C-97, C-130, C-130SK flying a total of 10,000 hours. He retired from the ANG in March of 1984. After retiring from the ANG, he got his real estate license and worked for Purdy and Caldwell Banker Realtors for twenty years.
He and his wife enjoyed spending winters in Jekyll Island, GA for many years during their retirement.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4 until 7 P.M. at Griswold Funeral Home, 1867 State Street, Schenectady. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday at 11A.M. at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, 2733 Albany Street, Schenectady.
He will be interred in the spring at St. James Cemetery, Ghent, NY.