Richard C. Meade

Richard (Dick) C. Meade, of Fulton, IL (formerly of Thomson) passed away in his home on February 18, 2026, 18 days shy of his 91st birthday.

Richard C. Meade was born on March 8, 1935 to John and Thera Meade in Clinton, IA. After graduating from Clinton High School in 1953, he proudly attended the University of Iowa. While he was attending college his parents were involved in a life changing car accident which forced him to quit college to help run the family moving business, Meade Transfer. After many months of recovery, John and Thera were able to return to the family business and Dick enlisted in the Army serving in Germany from 1958-1960.

Dick enjoyed 65 years of marriage to Audrey (Balk), married on January 21, 1961, in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA and celebrated four children: Randy Meade, David Meade, Rhonda (Meade) Klieman and Stacey Meade. The family moved from Clinton, IA in 1972 and resided in Thomson, IL for the next 42 years.

Dick worked for the American Water Works in Clinton, IA for 24 years before he retired in 1997. In retirement, Dick reveled in his hobbies which included cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubbies, Chicago Bears, Iowa Hawkeyes and whatever sports team his son-in-law was coaching, golfing (celebrating two hole-in-ones!), trapping, being with family and traveling to Orange Beach, AL in the winter months to work on his tan.

Dick is survived by his wife of 65 years, Audrey; his son Randy (wife Lola) Meade of Fulton; his son Dave (wife Michele) Meade of Clinton, IA; his daughter Rhonda Klieman (husband Chris) of Manhattan, KS; his daughter Stacey Meade of Chicago, IL, 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, and a grand-daughter. Dick will always be remembered by his family as “Our Legend”. He was a man of few words, but spoke volumes. His strength, resilience, integrity, honesty, work ethic, humor, amazing wit and quiet compassion will remain in our hearts forever. This world has lost a good one and we are forever blessed by his grace.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to your local Parkinson Association or the Parkinson's Foundation (PF) www.parkinson.org

Visitation will be held Monday, February 23rd from 10-12:00 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson with 12:00 funeral service and 1:00 burial at York Cemetery in Thomson.