Meredith Lockhart McCullar

Meredith Lockhart McCullar, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and respected businessman, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 27, 2025. He was 81 years old.

Born on November 1, 1943, in Memphis, Tennessee, Meredith's life was a testament to hard work, energy, and determination. From a young age, he was drawn to the outdoors, livestock, and the sporting life. He had a lifelong love of bird dogs and the pursuit of bobwhite quail. His competitive spirit emerged early in calf roping, where he rose to compete in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. That same drive led him into the National Cutting Horse Association, where he found great success breeding, showing, and winning numerous awards with horses he raised and trained.

Meredith's entrepreneurial journey began in real estate in his hometown of Memphis. In 1972, he founded McCullar Realty Company, quickly becoming a significant figure in commercial real estate across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. His work and vision helped shape communities, from small transactions to landmark developments. In 1988, Meredith partnered with Henry Turley and Jack Belz to develop the Oak Court Mall in Memphis, a 750,000-square-foot mid-city mall anchored by Macy's and Dillard's. He and his partners also introduced Harbor Town, a nationally recognized residential and commercial development on the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis. Known for its charismatic charm, Harbor Town remains a model of thoughtful design, featuring nature trails, ponds, and walkable connections that bring together homes and businesses in a vibrant neighborhood setting.

Later, Meredith and his family relocated to Abilene, Texas, where he continued his career in ranchland brokerage and investments. With more than 50 years of experience in every aspect of real estate, the McCullar name became synonymous with excellence, good judgment, and integrity. Meredith held himself to the highest standards, in both business and life, and inspired others to do the same.

Above all, Meredith was a family man. He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; his sons, Barry (Laurie) and Clay (Kristi); his cherished grandchildren, Payton and Cheyenne; and his great grandchildren, Kaiya, Kallyn, and Locklyn. He is also survived by his nephews, Ben, Kyle, and Ryan, along with their wives and children, who all loved and admired him deeply.

Meredith's life will be remembered for his unshakable drive, his devotion to his family, and the countless lives and communities he touched. His legacy of vision, determination, and love will live on through his family and the work he dedicated his life to building.

A memorial gathering to honor Meredith's life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Friday, October 10, 2025, at Parker-Jacobs Funeral Home. This will be a time to visit with family, with a brief time from 2:30 to 3:00 PM where family and friends will share stories.
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Time is fleeting. Time is precious. It seems like the older we get, the faster time passes.

My grandmother used to tell me, "The older you get, the days get longer and the years get shorter." How true that is!!! How often do we find ourselves busy in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and forget how quickly life can change? It can literally change in a split second or a heartbeat. It is important for us to be thankful and take the time each and every day, to enjoy the ones we love…to spend time with them…sometimes doing things with them that we don't feel like. We sometimes take all that we have been blessed with in life for granted.

T he following little story should serve as a great reminder to all of us to spend our cherished time with our loved ones every day.

A friend of mine unexpectedly lost his wife. A couple of months later, we were golfing together, chatting about nothing. He asked what my dinner plans were and I told him that my wife wanted to make homemade chili and cornbread, but I didn't feel like stopping at the store.

He quietly said, "Make the chili."

It took me a few minutes to realize that we were no longer talking about dinner. It was about going out of your way to do something for someone you love because at any moment, they could be unexpectedly be taken from you.

So, today I am sharing with you that wisdom that was handed to me by my dear friend, that I have thought of many times since that day. The next time someone you love wants to go for a walk or watch a football or play a board game or just put your phone down and give them your undivided attention, just do it.

"Just Make the Chili"